Photograph by Jake Norton/First Ascent
Photograph by Jake Norton/First Ascent
Called the “ultimate climbing machine” by Men’s Journal, Ed Viesturs is the United States’ leading Himalayan mountaineer. He is the only American and one of only six people to climb the six highest peaks in the world without supplemental oxygen.
Having successfully ascended Mount Everest six times, Viesturs in May 2005 completed an even more ambitious, 16-year quest to climb the 14 highest mountains in the world without supplemental oxygen. He named this goal Endeavor 8000, since each of these Himalayan peaks exceeds 8,000 meters (26,240 feet). Why did he do it? “I tend to be very goal-oriented and savor difficulty.” Viesturs said. “Climbing the 14 highest Himalayan giants seemed to be the ultimate multi-year challenge with no guaranteed outcome.”
Presentation Topics
Endeavor 8000
Using dramatic slides and video, Viesturs recounts his 16-year quest to conquer the 14 highest mountains in the world, drawing from the experiences relevant strategies for managing risk, motivating a team, and staying focused on core values in the business world.
Team Building and Goal Achievement
Viesturs uses the success of his own Endeavor 8000 project to draw out lessons for businesses and organizations about how to identify and set long-term goals. He also offers strategies from mountaineering to help build and motivate teams and keep them focused—even in the face of apparent failure.
Learn More About Ed:
Listen to Radio Interview With Ed Viesturs
Boyd Matson Interviews Ed for NG Weekend Interview
America’s preeminent alpinist explains what traders can learn from mountaineers.
Alex Chadwick talks with high-altitude mountain climber Ed Viesturs about his attempt to climb all 14 of the world’s highest mountains without the aid of supplemental oxygen. Viesturs has already climbed 13 of the peaks taller than 8,000 meters (approx. 26,000 feet), and is set to climb the last remaining peak, Annapurna. It’s a quest that’s taken him almost 20 years to complete.
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