Roger Austin tagged the summit of the Manitou Incline for 602nd time on Friday (Nov. 22, 2013), setting a new record for climbs in one year. He was joined by his friend Greg Cummings, the previous record holder who climbed the Incline 601 times. Austin began counting on Jan. 1. He hit 500 - his goal for the year - in October, then took aim at Cummings' record. He rarely misses a day and often arrives at the base of the Incline by 3:30 a.m. to make two round trips before work. On weekends he climbs six to eight times.
Cummings took an entire year to hit 601. Austin will set a new record every time he climbs until Dec. 31. He said he has a number in mind, but chose to keep it a secret.