Meeting Speaker for August 26, 2013

Adrian Ballinger is one of the USA's premier high-altitude mountain guides, and the only American guide to have both AMGA/IFMGA guide's certification (one of 75 in the USA) and more than 10 summits of 8,000 meter peaks (including 6 summits of Mt. Everest). 

As founder and head guide of Alpenglow Expeditions (www.alpenglowexpeditions.com), Adrian has been guiding full-time for fifteen years and has led over 100 international climbing expeditions on 5 continents. 

In 2011 he became the first person to summit three 8,000 meter peaks in only 3 weeks (Everest twice and Lhotse once). He is also the first person to ski Manaslu, the 8th tallest mountain in the world, from its summit. These personal successes are combined with Adrian's passion for guiding and teaching others. Adrian has led expeditions where more than 100 clients have successfully summited Everest, Lhotse (the 4th tallest mountain in world), and Manaslu.

Whether in skis, rock shoes, or mountain boots, Adrian thrives on sharing the big mountains with friends and clients, and helping them to build their skills and experience to be successful on the world's most beautiful mountains. 

In 2013 Adrian plans on continuing to enjoy big-mountain skiing, climbing, and guiding in the Himalaya, Kashmir, and South America, and of course closer to "home" in Squaw Valley, CA. Adrian is a sponsored athlete for Marmot, La Sportiva, Edelrid, Kaenon, Goal Zero, Nature's Bakery, Hypoxico, Alpenglow Sports and High Altitude Fitness.