PITTSBURGH -- Not many men can see they’ve reached the top of the world, but Carnegie Mellon University graduate and Pittsburgh watchmaker Mike Kobold did just that -- on the first try.

Kobold's seven week Mount Everest expedition was done to raise funds and awareness for the Navy SEAL Warrior Fund, which has raised more than $7.1 million for the families of wounded or deceased Navy SEALs.

Kobold spent six weeks training with SEALs in San Diego -- something he said made all the difference.

"At various points in the expedition, I thought there is no way, it is too hard, too high, I am not strong enough," said Kobold.

That was before falling ice injured his knee and stomach issues kept him from eating for three days.

"I ate a bad cheese fondue at camp that I had brought and my stomach couldn’t handle it," said Kobold.

Kobold said his guide, Kenton Cool, has scaled the mountain six times and was not sympathetic when Kobold thought he couldn't go on.

"Ultimately what kept me going was the Navy SEAL training because it is all about focus on what you are doing in the very moment that you are doing it," said Kobold.

"We left at 9 p.m. and arrived at 5 a.m., so most of the time it was completely dark where we could just fall off and die if not clipped in,” said Kobold. “When we got to the summit, I was too cold and too scared to worry about anything but taking a quick picture and getting right back down.”

While Kobold and his companions successfully completed their journey, there were always grim reminders of those who had not.

"During the day, when you come back down, there are dead bodies everywhere on either side of your path," Kobold said.

But it was a mission accomplished for Kobold, who planted a Navy SEAL flag at the top of the mountain.

"People have commented on how lucky I was to have Navy SEALs on my side," said Kobold.

The goal was to raise $125,000 and donations continue to be received at both Everest-Challenge.com and Navy SEAL Warrior Fund.

Related Links:

Kobold Watch Co.

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