Ed Viesturs

Ed Viesturs (born June 22, 1959), is one of the world's premier high-altitude mountaineers. He is the first American, and 12th person overall, to summit all fourteen mountains over 8000m (collectively known as the Eight-thousanders). All climbs were done without bottled oxygen. Viesturs also has summitted Mount Everest six times, a feat that, excluding sherpas, has only been surpassed by Pete Athans.

Related Topics:
June 22 - 1959 - Mountaineer - Eight-thousander - Mount Everest - Pete Athans

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Born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, Viesturs moved to Seattle, Washington in 1977 to attend the University of Washington. It was here that he began his mountaineering career on the slopes of Mount Rainier. He eventually became a guide for Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. and later obtained a degree in veterinary science from Washington State University.

Related Topics:
Rockford, Illinois - Seattle, Washington - 1977 - University of Washington - Mount Rainier - Veterinary science - Washington State University

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His interest in the Himalaya was sparked in high school by reading Maurice Herzog's account of the first climb of Annapurna. After climbing Kanchenjunga in 1989, Mount Everest in 1990, and K2 in 1992, Viesturs was able to become a international mountain guide and obtain sponsorship for full-time mountaineering. He continued climbing in the Himalaya, with his most recent climbs being Broad Peak and Nanga Parbat in 2003 and Mount Everest (sixth time) in 2004. He guides expeditions for New Zealand-based Adventure Consultants and currently resides in Seattle, Washington.

Related Topics:
Himalaya - Maurice Herzog - Annapurna - Kanchenjunga - 1989 - Mount Everest - 1990 - K2 - 1992 - Broad Peak - Nanga Parbat - 2003 - 2004 - New Zealand - Seattle, Washington

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Viesturs climbs with partner Veikka Gustafsson.

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