On Thursday September 11th, 2025, members of the Manitou Springs Fire Department and other first-responder groups will gather at 8 AM at the base of the incline.

Some of these firefighters will be carrying heavy gear - known as "bunker gear" that weighs 70 pounds - as a reminder of the challenges firefighters faced as they climbed the twin towers 24 years ago. The pace will be slow, the discomfort palpable, but that is by design. The climb symbolizes the sacrifice firefighters and first responders made almost two and a half decades ago.

The good news for them - and you, if you want to join them - is that the forecast will work in their favor this year.

Firefighting gear is not breathable - by design - to protect firefighters from intense heat during a fire. The bi-layer system has a hea

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