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Feb. 27, 2015
“Mr. Everest” Peter Athans to Speak at UT March 4
Peter Athans' name has been synonymous with the exploration of Mt. Everest for nearly two decades. But summiting the world’s tallest peak seven times isn’t the only entry on Athans' long list of achievements.
Peter Athans' name has been synonymous with the exploration of Mt. Everest for nearly two decades. But summiting the world’s tallest peak seven times isn’t the only entry on Athans' long list of achievements.
Stop by The University of Tampa on Wednesday, March 4, to hear Athans present Mt. Everest and the People of the Himalaya as part of the National Geographic Speaker Series. The event will begin at 6 p.m. in the Vaughn Center Crescent Club and is free and open to the public.
Known in some circles as “Mr. Everest,” Athans summited Mount Everest for the first time in 1990 and hasn’t stopped climbing since. He has climbed Everest seven times, participated in 16 expeditions there and was awarded the highest medal of recognition from the American Alpine Club for a rescue featured in the bestselling book and feature film Into Thin Air.
In addition to climbing Everest, Athans has completed speed ascents of Annapurna South, Pumori, Ama Dablam and Cho Oyu.
Athans is interested in the exploration of both the physical and cultural landscapes of Tibet and Western China, home to countless untrammeled peaks and unique, vanishing cultures. He has worked with National Geographic Television and PBS on showcasing archaeological discoveries in Nepal’s Kingdom of Mustang, including The Secrets of Shangri-La, The Search for Lost Cave Temples and Cave People of the Himalaya.
He is an accomplished speaker and has contributed to dozens of books, periodicals, lectures and films featuring exploration and adventure in the Himalaya.
After leading expeditions that produced scientific stories for Nova and ABC, Athans championed the Himalayan Cataract Project, which provides sight-restoring surgery to indigent Nepalese patients who suffer from cataract blindness. In 2007, he initiated the Magic Yeti Libraries, featuring illustrated bilingual texts for preschool children in Himalayan villages.
Beyond climbing, Athans has collaborated with North Face for more than 20 years, contributing to the design and sales of products.
An avid philosopher and poet, Athans evokes the magic of true exploration and leadership with personal anecdotes from his expeditions, while asserting that everyone — whether mountaineer, CEO or homemaker — has his or her own Everest.
The event is sponsored by UT’s Office of International Programs. For more information, contact Elizabeth Mills at (813) 258-7433 or emills@ut.edu.
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