During summer 2016, Sweeney climbed Mount Elbrus with his 11-year-old son. His son was not able to make it to the top, but Sweeney reached the summit becoming the first to bring a mountain bike to the top and descended to the base camp on a fatbike. Sweeney's son was overwhelmed with fatigue and Sweeney filmed him with frozen tears on is face. When observing his son's distress, Sweeney's reaction was to offer him more clothing and express concern at his body becoming cold. Sweeney then said it was up to his 11-year old son to decide whether or not to continue. Sweeney later said that his son's feet were becoming frostbitten. His son decided to go down. Sweeney's face conveyed extreme disappointment. Sweeney then abandoned his son with a guide and pushed on without him in order to achieve his personal goal of riding a bike down Mount Elbrus.