Photograph by Jake Norton/First Ascent
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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 a handful of people to climb the six highest peaks in the world, all over 26,000 feet, 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.”
Viesturs is a best-selling author of numerous books including No Shortcuts to the Top and K2. His most recent, The Will to Climb, documents his attempts to climb Annapurna, the tenth highest, but most deadly, mountain in the world.
Presentation Topics
No Shortcuts to the Top: Managing and Mitigating Risk Through Perseverance, Dedication, and Teamwork.
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.
Everest Imax Expedition 1996: Teamwork, Leadership and Rational decision making in times of crisis to complete a monumental goal.
Viesturs uses the success of his involvement in the 1996 Everest Imax filming 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 spoke 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. At the time of the interview, Viesturs had already climbed 13 of the peaks taller than 8,000 meters (approx. 26,000 feet), and was set to climb the last remaining peak, Annapurna.
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