Ed Viesturs: The Will to Climb | Nat Geo Live
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- čas přidán 24. 06. 2012
- After surviving a terrifying avalanche, Ed Viesturs is the first American to summit all 14 of the world's highest mountains without supplemental oxygen.
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Ed Viesturs: The Will to Climb | Nat Geo Live
• Ed Viesturs: The Will ...
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Far as I can tell he has all 10 fingers and 10 toes still, nor visible frostbite on his ears or face. That’s a mountaineer who’s made a lot of correct decisions in his career! It shows through in this presentation - Great talk, great story.
I love Ed's quote: Getting to the summit is optional, getting down is mandatory. I've always reminded myself of that when climbing.
Words to live by!
@@leesherman100 what do they mean?
It means that the road to survival is not up, but down.
@@Akame4514 Good judgement will save your life. Ego & Summit fever will not.
Going back down alive is the most important part of climbing. Summit comes after.
I always say that when fixing my satellite dish.
Thing that struck me was his safety. Always happy to choose to do it another day. Great attitude and one others should adopt.
Thats why he is still alive
Some people don’t have the resources to try over and over again (free time, money, health, youth)
Right, but if you die, you also don't get to try again.
@@MMULLEN1990 is that worth dying for?
Jeff Jacobson no on e plans to die, but they knowingly take a risk. If you don’t want to risk dying on a mountain, don’t climb it in the first place.
I can't get enough of these mounteneering stories
Iyed Bennour I had to search so bad for this particular video.
@@tokas-kb6rb You cant believe same here dude !!
@@asifafarooqi6417 thats what we call love of mountains....
Just loveeeeeee hamalayas and karakoram
Me neither. Never climbed a thing. But I’ve been reading books and watching films about alpine mountaineering and climbing since I was a kid. The book that started it, aged 11 was Ascent of Everest by John Hunt. Since then the tales of Viesters, Mesner, Honnold and Caldwell et al have fascinated me. Love these videos. It’s a fantastic insight.
Same , love These
what a pro, only a pro like him will turn away so close to the summit because the risk is to high. What a great speaker
That's the difference in a mountaineer and a mountain climber
One of the things that Ed mentions in his books, is that he carries willow wands. You can tell in the pictures which one he is because of that. It's what saved his life on many of his expeditions, especially on K2.
@@Yuuphonixx Is that a spiritual thing, or something like a brand name for an emergency oxygen bottle? Kinda like Spare Air for diving
@@akimbojimbo3763 Neither LOL. A willow wand is simply a stake that you drive into the ground to help track your path in the event you get lost. They can be marked and some have fabric material attached to it so it can be seen on windy days.
Amen to all of that. I so admire his judgment and willingness to turn back when so many others pressed on often at their own peril. He is a legend. In my opinion he has to be the greatest American climber of all time when it comes to high altitude. Amazing.
I think one of the reasons he's such a successful mountaineer is he has a good sense of judgment not only in his surroundings, but in choosing who to climb with. His ability to check his ambition and show restraint must have saved his life numerous times. Sometimes your greatest strength can also be your weakness. He has the ability to check that which fuels him.
amdturion123 NBC,,👨 that
that is really well put
Absolutely!! That's very well put.
I ran into Ed Viesturs and Conrad Anker above the cleaver on Rainier last year. it was like 2am, early September and they were turning around from a one day push. Would’ve been a honor to share the summit with you guys.
"In spite of that 100 mph wind, we could smell cigarette smoke. So we knew those guys were fine." The image of two Italians both named Mario smoking cigarettes and eating salami 24,000 feet up on Annapurna makes me laugh.
Same here. I repeatedly watch this video just for that bit hahaha
Yeah, Chris, adds SO MUCH COLOR to this great climber - Ed Viesturs - wow...
...
Salami MUST taste good at 28,000 feet - also a STRONG cigarette.
...
The only way I'll ever HAVE another cigarette?
(as I quit smoking on 9 February 1981)
Is if I'm AT 28,000 feet.
Much praise to Ed, his partner The-V-Man, also the Mario Bros.
What a mission - what a life - feeling so jealous right now.
.
.
@@josephkelley8641 lol, I like that, I havent had a cigarette in about 5 1/2 years. Next one I have, it'll be in the death zone. Im good with that :)
Totally captivating! The most important words ever said in Mountaineering is what Ed said, that getting to the top is only half the job, getting back down is as important.
Following his instincts is what has kept Ed alive on the Himalayas today whereas his contemporaries and climbing legends like Scott Fischer, Rob Hall, Anatoli Boukreev, etc passed into the Himalaya.
Ed's remarkable perseverance and "Will to Live" is inspiring. Hats off to Ed Viesturs!
One of the all-time great mountaineers...in history. He said that he'd pick K2 to climb "any day" over Annapurna because it was "the lesser of two evils". When Ed Viesturs is saying that about Annapurna...pretty easy to see why Annapurna carries the notorious reputation that it does and remains the least climbed of all the 8,000ers.
Love his last words. We all have our own Annapurna. We all have our own huge problems or troubles we at some point in life have to overcome and it takes some people years if not decades to overcome
I really respect these guys who go out and do this... they push themselves to the limit, remain humble and within themselves. Incredible achievements. Ed Viesturs is a legend (although he didn't set out to become one). His (and his team - the IMAX guys) efforts to rescue the stranded climbers high on Everest during that terrible sequence of events in May of 1996 is particularly noteworthy.
Can't forget the legend that started it all, when it comes to climbing without oxygen...Reinhold Messner.
For some reason, i can't get behind Messner like i can Ed. Messner's ego, maybe? His well-documented hallucinations in the death zone? Ed is so cool-headed and helpful, with total lack of ego, even at altitude. Summit fever? Not in this lifetime. Messner is almost narcissistic, where Ed is to a similar degree, selfless.
I am not a climber, but you don't need to be to see how inspirational Ed is to so many people. His determination, common sense and compassion for others translates into aspects of life we all share, he's a top bloke and I'd love to shake his hand.
He climbed with scott Fischer, who died during the 1996 everest tragedy and he also partnered with rob hall who died during the same climb. I remember john mentioning him in his book into thin air.
+phaniteja chintalapudi Anatoli Boukreev was also on that 96' Everest climb....and he sadly died on Annapurna in 1997.
I think our Veikka Gustafson was also there that year but on different expedition, I have read both books about it but few years a go. Obviously did not die because he shared all these other trips with Ed Viesturs.
Teja ed was the guy on the radio trying to motivate rob hall to start moving not someone called guy the movie has changed stuff like beck weathers chopper rescue the chopper landed at camp 1 and beck weathers actually let a guy go first in the chopper because he was more badly injured you hear some amazing compassion on Everest but there's a lot of selfish people who step over dead and dying people to get to the summit
Ed Viesturs was leading the IMAX team who filmed the documentary on Everest in 1996. They were the ones to spot Hall's lifeless body.
Such a gentle giant.
Ed Viesturs is my role model! It is so inspiring to listen to stories of legends like him, Rob Hall and Scott Fischer!
This man can speak! Amazing speech. Immense respect.
I totally respect Ed Viesturs! I respect his skill, his judgment, his humility, his tenacity! He's awesome!
Amazing sense of judgement and perseverance. Viesturs ability to almost stand outside himself and look at a decision logically, when so much is on the line personally, is phenomenal.
As Doug Scott once said, ambition feeds on itself, all you can do is let it go.
What a legend! He's even trekked with scott fisher and rob hall! Inspiring!
+CueJumper | Travel Vlogs
He's even trekked with scott fisher and rob hall!
Not in quite a while. Hall and Fisher are whats wrong with climbing.
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+maddierosemusic It really does not matter what you think of Hall and Fisher because they turned climbing into a business but at the end of the day it would have been done regardless and Hall and Fisher were damn good climbers 2 of the very best and stood in places we dream of standing
+maddierosemusic What?
Rob Hall is a legend and Scott Fischer,too!
he climed k2 with scott and charlie mace
I'm scared of heights and I will never survive climbing those mountains...some people are not meant to and I'm one of them, but people like Viesturs are amazing to me. Inspiring stuff and I'm a new fan!
I think the same actually
You'll never know, i thought climbing wasn't for me either, until i trekked to the Base of Everest and Annapurna. Looking up at the peak, i knew i have to be up there one day.
So much to learn, so much to teach!
The part thats scary to me is when they have to use the ladders to cross between the crevasses, you have to look down at your feet and as you’re looking down at your feet you looking down a crevasse that is so deep you can’t even see the bottom.
You have to read his books. I own both paperback and audiobooks by Ed. It's motivating and his level of safety is like no other. Much respect to Ed for knowing when to hold em, and knowing when to fold em. His books on K2 and Annapurna are my favorites. Annapurna was also his nemesis, and you'll learn of people who fell thousands of feet from Annapurna and survived.
Wow, he is incredibly well spoken. I bet he still has all his fingers and toes too
He's not well-spoken, and he mispronounces words and names. But he is wise and patient, and intelligent, and as a result you are probably right about the fingers and toes.
Yes, he does still have all of his fingers and toes.
@@chrysology No, he is well spoken.
Ed guided me on Rainer in the 1990s. I flew to Seattle from Chicago. Not much experience. Near the summit I was feeling pretty awful. Vomited a few times (didn’t let Ed see that). He kind of assessed me and was clearly debating in his mind about maybe turning me around. But after a talked he decided to let me continue. I was quite fit , a rower, but not much time at high altitudes. His faith in my was just the boost I needed. Made it to the top and safely down. A great experience. His assessment of me was spot on and I appreciate his willingness to let me struggle on, suffer a bit, but achieve my goal, safely. A very memorable experience.
I love that he didn't take advantage of Sherpas but actually spent the time training and acclimatizing.
"We all have our own Annapurna in our lives"
great talk by one of the greatest climbers. I'm lucky to have came close to Annapurna, only reaching the base camp but the view of Annapurna was breathtaking, what a powerful mountain.
The juxtaposition of the amazing green valley, with the monstrous white mountain looming over it never ceases to take my breath away. You are very fortunate to have been there in person. I wish I could say the same =)
Me too and I share you sentiment. I stood awestruck, rooted, at the monument area facing the glacier and the south face of Annapurna.
One of my bucket list things is to do the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. I must see the south face of that mountain.
ABC was the first serious trek i have ever undertaken and I barely have words. Mid-January weather coupled with a heavy snowfall made for a view unlike anything I have ever witnessed. I'm completely hooked.
I just returned back from Annapurna Base Camp a week ago. It was breath taking. No words describe it.
Ed, your wisdom on decision making skills has certainly had a profound impact on my own mountaineering career. I think that I can say with confidence, that I am still alive because of your words: "Getting to the top is optional. Getting back home is mandatory".
Thank you, Ed.
Great video and another inspiring lecture from N.G.
"Despite the wind we could still smell the cigarette smoke so we knew they were fine."
Italians - gotta love em
Wow, climbed all 14 without oxygen tanks. Here I am debating the process of getting up and grabbing another beer. Sheesh.
That very same book, by Herzog, Annapurna, I read when I was 15! It was my father's who was an alpinist in Europe, one of the few Hungarians (we have no high mountains..). Amazing book...
+Gábor Kalman Becht wow
Nagyszeru
Italians ripping cigs on the side of big mountains. Epic.
RIP Mario Merelli
I've followed Viesturs' career with interest. I read the article in Outdoor Magazine, "Ed WHO?" and he's quietly made records while splashier media-hogs get the notice. Great talk!
At the start of 2016 i was doing small hikes on hills with about 2 mile round trips. In July I made it to the top of Mt San Gorgonio an 11,503 ft peak (3505 meters) & in August Mount Whitney a 14,505 foot (4420 meter) peak its literally half the size of K2 but obviously a lot lot less technical. It'll would be a dream to at least visit Everest base camp one day
Everyone has to start somewhere TVinmyEyeKeep. Just keep climbing--you'll get there!
Good job, bud.
I love to climb also and feel like you would love to go to Everest base camp on my bucket list!
You should definitely go - just back from the Annapurna base camp trek, it is an amazing experience having so many high peaks around you, and the Nepali countryside is beautiful!! Just be prepared for a lot of walking and an unbelievable number of stairs....
He's a good speaker. (=
Stunning photography
No Shortcuts To The Top by Ed Viesturs. Put it on your must read list guys! (also available on audio book)
ty, just ordered it:)
twotwentyswift His books the will to climb (especially) and k2 are, in my humble opinion, way better books than no shortcuts. Maybe I just knew too much about him already, he's definitely one of my favorite, but his other books just tell the coolest stories
I haven't read either but it sounds like I need to. Thanks for the info. Amazon here I come!
twotwentyswift I read it. It was very poorly written in my opinion. It was also pretty boring
Sorry you didn't enjoy it. I certainly did.
Great speaker, so inspirational and motivational, Ed is a legend of the mountaineering world. It must be a truly magical feeling to know that you are one of the few to have summited all 14 peaks over 8000m, and without using supplemental oxygen!
Ed is the ideal role model for any prospective mountaineer or adventurer.
Nepal is really beautiful and surprisingly underrated i would say..
Very cheap country too.
Not only has he the perfect climbing skills, but also the best story telling skills.
Ed Viesturs is a legend...
So many mountaineers look amazingly young and vital. They almost have a glow about them.
Whenever I have nothing to watch on CZcams, I have one thing that I can watch for sure. That's this amazing story.
I have read Ed's books and get so much out of them. "Summiting is optional; descending is not" A wonderful writer and speaker. I cannot get enough of the 14 mountains.
Hats off. Saddened to read the uncharitable comments. If you cannot applaud this man, but find faults, I can only say that you see your own faces in the mirror.
its often that way...with judgement
@@ldhorricks some would go so far as to say that when you point the finger, that three fingers will be pointing back at you.
good man- not climbing for fame and ego/glory but for the right reasons- cool
Only one word
Brilliant.
I watch it over and over....
Same here. Especially the part about the Italians and the cigarette smoke LoL
This guy is an incredible climber. Climbed all (14) 8000 meter peaks without supplemental O2, a phenomenal feat, not to mention summiting Everest 7x, also without 02. He's probably still alive because he never succumbed to summit fever, and had his safety in mind first by not letting his ego get in the way.
He and anatoli .. are one of the greatest !
two of the greatest ;)
Its so great to see him actually tell the stories. Truly incredible and inspirational.
Ed is a real mountaineer, no bs but also appears to be a really genuine human being. unlike many of the greedy millionaires throwing bottles of 02 away on the route up everest, ruining such a beautiful part of the world
I live fifty miles from Mt. Rainier. The Cascades have more of than enough climbing in them for me. I'm not even interested in the so-called 8,000m peaks.
Such an inspirational speech, even for someone who's never gonna attempt any of the 8,000 meter peaks! Love the mentality!
His book No Shortcuts to the Top is brilliant! Patient, methodical, knowledgeable climber with strong morals.
great story. hes obviously a very safe, calculated guy without a massive ego, hence why hes alive to tell the story and so many others aren't.
I remember as a small kid Veikka Gustafson coming to our school and giving a big slideshow and talk about his trip to K2 so it must have been with Ed.
Have a lot of respect for Mr. Viesters and it would seem he is a blessed individual to have survived so much. I know he was prepared and wise in his accomplishments. Smart decisions are a big part of success and survival....
Getting to the top is optional, staying alive is mandatory. Ed succeeded at both, that's impressive.
So great to see this. To really see Ed present this just gives me more encouragement to reach goals and know people die all the time climbing. He points out climbing a mountain is a round trip! Just classic and I loved the photography! Great lessons learned! Just inspiring!
I could listen his story a whole day .Thank you for sharing .
one of the greatest speechs ive heard. thank you very much
My all-time mountaineers are this guy and my fellow Finnish hero Veikka. Amazing lecture, loved it! Thanks for sharing this incredible story.
well that was just flat out awesome! I could listen to him discuss these stories for hours!
As coincidence would have it, Nat Geo (I think) was shooting an IMAX feature on Everest and Ed in '96. There is a heartbreaking scene that shows Ed speaking to Scott via radio after he had sat down and wasn't able to move. He tries to motivate Scott to keep decending, but it's too late. He had been in the "Death Zone" for about 36 hours. They link Scott to his wife via satellite phone and they pick a name for his unborn child before saying goodbye to each other. It's hard to watch
Do you have a link for the clip?
Rob Hall
That was Rob Hall, not Scott Fischer.
In any human endeavor, safety is the most important consideration. Mahalo for posting this video.
We all have our own Annapurna....just wow
It sums it up nicely
amazing stuff. i just read about this guy who did the 14 peaks in 6 months, crazy.
Nims Purja blasted through the world’s 14 highest mountains in little more than six months in 2019 - which certainly gives him some pretty high credentials in the world of mountaineering.
> " Nims Purja blasted through the world’s 14 highest mountains in little more than six months in 2019 - which certainly gives him some pretty high credentials in the world of mountaineering."
I'm more impressed by climbers like Ed Viesturs who focused on safety and compassion, instead of speed and ego.
@@Horizon-hj3yc what, Nims is safe. He is in a different league than Ed.
I am awestruck and inspired every time I hear these adventure stories on the toughest mountains on this planet ..wow !!!!!
Excellent speech from an amazing mountaineer
I met Ed at Everest base camp and took a picture with him. Very gracious with his time. He gave a lecture for my hospital several yrs later and signed that picture. Thanks Ed.
Ed Viesturs you are the ultimate climber.
I only wish I had been born with a healthy heart, for I would've joined you there at the top of the world.
Aw good luck im sure you'll reach there one day
+Gustavo A. Rios im so sry
Most inspirational talk i ever listen to.
Thank you Ed.
Ed gave this speech at my Hotel not too long ago. It was great. Seems like a good guy.
Safari which hotel?
Ed thanks for sharing this truly epic adventure and congrats!!!
This is the best thing I have ever seen in my life.
I am just a humble amateur climber and the highest i reached was over 4000m, in the Alps. I know that i will never achieve nothing not even close to 8000m and that, like Viesturs, Messner, Hillary and such, but as long i can travel and climb some of those amazing places that mountains are, i will be glad for each moment. Mountains are some of the most beautiful, outstanding, breathtaking, (even somtimes) dangerous and deadly, stunning places on Earth..
He knew rob hall and Scott Fischer!
He captivated me with every word. I could've listened to hours more of that. Great speaker, serious moments where you couldn't hear a pin drop in the room to timely quips of very funny humour.
How is it even possible that 152 people gave this a thumbs down? Ed is an amazing and captivating person who has been on one amazing journey.
Extraordinary story and such modesty. Ed Viesturs I salute you sir.
Amazing talk. Enjoyed every second of it.
Need more of these videos. This was awesome and what great quality footage also...almost like you are there at certain points
Amazing recount of his achievements. Thank you Ed for sharing with so many of us who can only dream...
fascinating to hear. thank you for sharing your story. so humble too. I love the\
concept of adapting to the mountain instead of the mountain adapting to you; shows alot of respect for it, and humility
The Italians always bringing excellency to everywhere, kudos to the cheese and salami ！
Supplemental cheese and salami ! We can all learn from the Italians.
Wow, truly impressive.
Mountain GOAT! ❤ Ed.
Turning around no matter what mountain is never easy.
simply amazing
Sir salute you . Sir we respect you and one thing I have to say that you won everyone heart for your hardworking when you said that's was your 18 yrs of journey. Fantabulous
God bless u always
Fantastic Presentation. WoW!
What a wonderful story....Great to listen to....inspiring
Simply brilliant!
Great video! Very inspiring! Thanks for sharing!
So inspiring...I'm 15 and have big dreams for these mountains!
very motivating
a true inspiring legend....
I was there for this Live, really great speech.
That was awesome, i love these NGC Live! videos. Thank u for sharing!
Don Whillans would have fit right in with the smokers LOL. Thanks for a great story Ed.
He'd probably have pinched their salami (but brought some beer to the party)