On March 10, 2024, Bernice Moss, an 82-year-old resident of Henderson, Nevada, successfully climbed the 1,455-step staircase at the Stratosphere Tower as part of the annual Scale The Strat event. This charity challenge, organized by the American Lung Association, raised over $315,000 this year to support clean air initiatives and assist individuals living with lung diseases.
Despite her age, Moss completed the climb in just over 40 minutes, earning her a spot as one of the oldest participants. “By the time I got to the top, the endorphins were just jumping everywhere,” she remarked after finishing the event. “It was a hard stair climb, but it was great.”
A Legacy of Longevity
Moss attributes her remarkable health to her family history. Raised in Wenatchee, Washington, she shared that both her mother and grandmother lived to be 96 and 105, respectively, indicating that longevity runs in her family. Her active lifestyle has likely contributed to her well-being as well. A regular routine of walking, along with decades of skiing, golfing, and playing tennis, has kept her in excellent shape.
“One of my mom’s favorite sayings was, ‘The more you do, the more you can do,’” Moss reflected. “I never forgot that. So when I get tired, I just do more.” To prepare for the Scale The Strat event, she climbed a 44-step staircase at the Green Valley Ranch Resort more than 30 times a day over the previous two months.
Embracing Nature and Adventure
When not training for charity events, Moss spends her time outdoors, stating that she has hiked nearly every trail in Red Rock Canyon and Mount Charleston during her 15 years in the valley. She makes it a point to complete a two to four mile hike every Thursday. “It’s just exhilarating to be out hiking and being in nature,” she said. “Nature’s healing. Every time you walk, your body just says, ‘thank you, thank you.’”
After the climb, Moss celebrated her accomplishment with a meal at Juan’s Flaming Fajitas on Water Street in Henderson. Looking ahead, she plans to return to The Strat and complete the climb again next year, aiming to train even harder in preparation. “As you get older, you want to keep that fire in your belly,” Moss said. “I don’t see my age as a problem. I don’t see myself in my 80s. I feel 18.”
Moss’s inspiring journey serves as a reminder that age is merely a number and that an active lifestyle can lead to remarkable achievements, no matter how old one may be.
