Firefighters from the city of Fayetteville Fire Department and Barrow County Emergency Services challenged themselves to a one-mile climb — equivalent to 160 flights of stairs — to the summit of Stone Mountain to commemorate the 16th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

Above, Quynh Hervey (L) and Stephaene Core (R) with the city of Fayetteville Fire Department rest and hydrate after climbing over a mile to the top of Stone Mountain wearing a full accompaniment of firefighting gear. Photo/Stone Mountain Park.

Wearing a full complement of firefighting gear, the group on Sept. 17 tested their own endurance in honor of the sacrifices made by 343 firefighters and paramedics who lost their lives on 9/11.

While the group intended to climb last week, they were delayed tending to rescue and recovery efforts related to hurricane and tropical storm Irma.