Local People

Last Updated on Friday, 08 June 2018 03:02

Charles Boone of Dormont completed another item from his bucket list. As a member of the Class of 2018 at Keystone Oaks, Charles’ senior year is proving to be exciting. Charles is now a world record holder.

Charles Boone and his supporters pose with the carabiner chain.

Charles is an Eagle Scout and credits starting his collection of carabiners during his years in Boy Scouts. As a scout, Charles attended many local camps and out-of-state high adventure camps in which he used various types of carabiners for events – thus his collection innocently started.

On Sunday February 25, 2018, Charles linked together his carabiners, one by one – all 1, 856 of them. The chain reached 250 feet, 10 ½ inches long. Connecting all of the carabiners took 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Striving for an official world record is a feat that requires documentation, verification and working within the very specific guidelines of Guinness.

Guinness required the world record witnesses to have specific qualifications. Charles asked neighbors and educators for their assistance. Retired corrections officer and neighbor Jeff Neiport and Keystone Oaks High School accounting educator Beth Smith served as two witnesses for the event.

Charles also needed a qualified person to measure the finished chain. Charles asked Parkway West Career Center educator Kevin Lewis to help him. Charles picked Mr. Lewis as the person for this feat because he knew the best person for measuring the chain would be someone who teaches the precision of measuring as a career trade. Charles’ parents photographed and videoed the event. Longtime friend Barb Otoole assisted Charles by placing 20 carabiners at a time in a basket, so that Charles could take them out one by one to be attached.

Charles Boone proudly displays his certificate from Guinness World Records.

Walmart in Carnegie, PA also assisted Charles in his adventure. They sectioned off a portion of their parking lot to help Charles accomplish his world record. The completed carabiner chain stretched from the building, across the parking lot, all the way to the other side.

Charles thanks all who helped him achieve this world record.

With the record confirmed, Charles will not forget how he started his collection. He will give the majority of the carabiners to the Boy Scouts to distribute them to other scouts at day camp or summer camp.

Congratulations, Charles Boone, on your world record! Charles is the son of Ron and Monica Boone of Dormont.