Steve Swenson has been climbing for almost 50 years. With nearly 20 expeditions to mountains in South Asia alone, he has made ascents of the North Ridge of K2, and solo ascents of the North Ridge of Everest—both without supplementary oxygen. In 2012 he and his partners made the first ascent of Sasser Kangri II (7518 meters), the second highest unclimbed mountain in the world, a feat for which they were awarded the prestigious Piolet d’Or.
Before recently retiring, Steve wo
