Deep in the highest mountains of Peru, where temperatures dip below zero and ice shelves can collapse and crush you, Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, and his brother Nord will be climbing to save lives.

The local legislator has long been known for high adventure exploits, but this year's climb is for something special. The Sandstrom brothers are climbing to raise money for kidney disease.

In 2006, the pair climbed to the summit of three peaks in Ecuador and raised $8,000 for the nonprofit group Kidney TRUST's education and prevention programs.

Their goal this year is to climb Huascaran Sur, a mountain that towers above the clouds at 22,132 feet, and raise $12,000 for kidney programs. The climb is a difficult one and the brothers expect to spend five days on the mountain.

The legislator said that during his last political campaign, he was attacked for being off climbing mountains instead of being at home working. Sandstrom argues that his trips are worthwhile, and that the trip that was being called into question was last year's Ecuador trip that raised $8,000.

But before they can begin the climb, they will have to spend time training in the high Peruvian mountains to acclimatize themselves to the high altitudes.

Once on the mountain, not only will they be standing on the side of the third highest peak in the Western Hemisphere, but the dangers will begin to multiply. Temperatures can dip well below zero, and clouds can roll in creating white-out conditions. Avalanche danger becomes quite real, but the real danger goes by a less familiar name.

At 18,000 feet the Garganta must be crossed. It is a massive ice field with towering walls of ice that have to be climbed and repelled down, all while hoping that the fragile ice walls don't crumble and come crashing down on top of them.

"The Garganta is the biggest challenge with this mountain," said Sandstrom.

Last year the Garganta took seven lives. "There's nothing you can do; it's just chance -- the luck of the draw," Sandstrom said.

Once on top, the climbers will take about 20 minutes to celebrate and take pictures before heading down. They will take photos with a Kidney TRUST flag and enjoy the fruits of their labors.

"The thing to remember," he said, "is when you get to the summit, you're only halfway done with the climb."

Sandstrom said oftentimes it is the descent, not the ascent, where most injuries occur because people are tired and generally exhausted.

But though he said they are excited to make this attempt, Sandstrom says that he also wants to make sure that his activities are worthwhile.

"It's an honor to help raise funds for kidney disease awareness and prevention while putting my body through an ultimate adventure challenge," he said.

"The TRUST applause Nord and Stephen's heroic efforts as they scale the highest peak in Peru. The funds raised will help the TRUST deliver effective testing and assistance programs for people living with chronic kidney disease," said Barbara Lawson, president of the TRUST.

According to the TRUST, there are 20 million American adults living with chronic kidney disease along with another 320,000 who suffer from kidney failure and must undergo regular dialysis.

Sandstrom says that he and his brother are paying for all costs associated with their trip, including flights, llamas and gear. One hundred percent of the money raised, he says, "goes to help people who can't afford dialysis -- underprivileged people that need dialysis but can't afford to pay for it."

To help Nord and Stephen in their quest, visit the Kidney TRUST Web site at https://www.kidneytrust.org/donate/peru-expedition/.

Nathan Johnson can be reached at 344-2543 or at njohnson@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D1.