2010 Guiding Team (Click Name for Bio)
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2010 Climbing Team (Click Name for Bio)
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VANESSA FOLKERTS- Climber
Home: Key Biscayne, FL
Vanessa has loved the mountains ever since she put on her first pair of skis at the age of five. An Outward Bound course in Alaska introduced her to the joys of ice climbing and resulted that- before you could say "self arrest"- she had shifted her focus from the downhill to the uphill aspect of the mountains. While primarily pursuing her History degree as an undergrad at Princeton, Vanessa also became a student of mountaineering and, during the holidays, the great ranges of the world became her lecture halls. When she wasn't on campus, in China, or on tour with the PU orchestra, Vanessa was in the hills working on her crampon mileage and rope skills. In light of support from her family and professors, she took leave of absence in the academic year 2009-10 in order to prepare for and climb in the Himalaya. She thanks the guides who have taught and encouraged her in her short but intense climbing career, and feels lucky to count them among her most respected instructors and most valued friends. Finally, Vanessa looks forward to returning to Nepal and is certain that, regardless of the outcome on Everest, she will not be hanging up her crampons anytime soon.
Significant Climbs
Aconcagua
Ama Dablam (attempt)
Baruntse
Chèré couloir
Cho Oyu
Cosmiques ridge
Cotopaxi
Denali
Dent Blanche
Dent de Tsalion
Eiger (Mittellegi)
Finsteraarhorn
Gross Fiescherhorn
Grünegghorn
Matterhorn (attempt- winter)
Miroir d’Argentine (traverse)
Mönch (SW ridge)
Mont Blanc
Tête Blanche/Petite Fourche (N face)
Pointe Gaspard (Gaspard 1er)
Pointe Lachenal
Rainier
Weissmies
Wiwannihorn (Steinadler)
Ice to WI5 (Kandersteg, Cogne)
Certifications
Wilderness First Responder (3/10)
Avalanche Level 1 (2/09)
DONALL HEALY- Climber
Donall Healy Chairman – Visual Graphic Systems Inc. Home: New York, NY
Significant Climbs
Mt. Baker
Mt. Rainier
Cayambe
Cotopaxi
Chimborazo
Kilimanjaro
Denali
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MICHAEL KRAFT- Climber
Home: Celle, Germany
Significant Climbs
Mountaineering: Elbrus, Kilimanjaro, Acongagua, various Alpine peaks, Denali, Mt. Vinson, Alpamayo, Huayna Potosi, Illimani, Grand Teton, Island Peak Numerous Ironman Triathlons incl. 2x Hawaii Marathon des Sables Return to Top of Page
ALISON LEVINE- Climber
Home: San Francisco, CA
Alison Levine is the founder of consulting firm Daredevil Strategies and is the President of the Climb High Foundation -- a nonprofit organization that trains jobless women in western Uganda to work as porters and trekking guides in the Rwenzori Mountains. She currently serves as an adjunct instructor at the US Military Academy at West Point in the Dept. of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership. Alison resides in San Francisco and is passionate about politics, Duke basketball and dessert. Return to Top of Page
D.C. MCDONALD- Climber
Home: Illinois
I am part owner of TRIUMPH LINK LOGISTICS USA, INC. I started climbing in the military but, got back into it after I shattered my lower leg/ankle as a way to get back into shape & commit myself again to some lifelong goals. I’ve enjoyed talking about this goal of climbing the world’s tallest peak… Lots of people talk but, few are up for the moment. I like to think of myself as always being up for the moment.
Significant Climbs
6 years in the military
Denali
Matterhorn
Aconcagua
Mt. Baker
El Capitan
Expert parachutist
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JOHN RUDOLF- Climber
Home: Seattle, WA
John is Founder and Chairman of Seattle-based Summit Capital Group and portfolio manager of two of the firm’s private investment partnerships: Summit Special Situations Fund and Summit World Fund.
He was educated at Gonzaga Prep High School in his birthplace Spokane, the University of Notre Dame and Columbia University Graduate School. He began his investment career in New York City, eventually returning to Seattle as Oppenheimer & Co., Inc’s Northwest region partner, and then founding Summit Capital in 1996 as an independent investment advisory firm.
John’s non-business and volunteer interests are as diverse as his athletic activities. Among them, over the years he has served as the co-chair of the Million Dollar Roundtable of the United Way of King County; board member of Andean Health and Development; advisor to the Applied Investment Management Program at the University of Notre Dame Business School; advisory board member and past chair of Notre Dame’s Snite Museum of Art; trustee of the Pacific Northwest Ballet; Chairman and Founder of the College Baseball Classic Foundation; advisor to Gonzaga University’s Center For Global Engagement and ‘Zags In Zambia Africa Program; member of the University of Washington Medical Center’s Institute For Prostate Cancer Research; and when his kids were young, for many years a youth baseball, basketball and soccer coach.
He loves just about any sports activity---especially outdoors---and pursues them when he can with his four kids and three grandkids. Besides mountain climbing, other favorites include cycling, tennis, running, triathlons, skiing, golf, kayaking, in-line and ice skating, and paddleboarding in Maui and on Hayden Lake.
John has climbed 7 of the ‘8’ “7 Summits”: Aconcagua, Elbrus, Kilimanjaro, Denali, Mt. Vinson, Kosciuszko and Carstensz Pyramid [Australia and Oceania battling it out for the ‘7th continent position]. Other summits include: Cotopaxi and other Ecuadorian mountains; the Matterhorn; Mont Blanc [three unsuccessful attempts!]; lots of hikes and climbing throughout the Alps and the Pacific Northwest [Mount Rainier, Adams, St. Helens; etc]; the Grand Canyon’s ‘Rim To Rim To Rim’ and the first recorded solo winter ascent of Idaho’s famed Mount Canfield. www.johnrudolf7summits.com
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VICTOR VESCOVO- Climber
Home: Southlake, TX
Victor began his climbing career with a trip to Kilimanjaro in the summer of 1988. Since then he has scaled six of the seven summits, as well as a few other peaks, and hopes to complete his quest by summiting Everest. A native of Texas, Victor is a co-founder of Insight Equity, a private equity firm specializing in buying and turning around underperforming companies. He is also a Commander in the US Navy reserves and a private pilot.
Significant Climbs
Aconcagua
Denali
Kilimanjaro
Elbrus
Vinson
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LAKPA RITA SHERPA 
SENIOR GUIDE, INTERNATIONAL & MOUNTAINEERING SCHOOL
Lakpa's climbing and guiding achievements are significant, with Ten summits of Mt. Everest on over 14 expeditions (a record 136 climbers on the summit under his leadership) five guided summits of Cho-Oyu and numerous other peaks in Nepal. He also been our high camp manager and guide on Aconcagua and Denali and has guided numerous peaks in the Cascades including Mount Baker and Rainier. Currently, Lakpa and his family reside in Seattle. He is a guide, leader and friend of the highest quality. Lakpa summited Mount Vinson twice as a leader of our 2003-2004 Vinson Team. He also is known as "The Best Sirdar in the Khumbu", and has been working with us for the past twelve years. His legendary strength is veiled by his charm and humility. As Sirdar (Sherpa captain) he directs and organizes our team of Sherpa for every Himalayan expedition. Possessing unparalleled expertise in the mountains, Lakpa is one of the only Sherpa working as a full-time Mountain Guide around the world. In February 2009, Lakpa became the first Sherpa, and first Nepali to climb the Seven Summits. Here he is on the summit of Kilimanjaro.
[ Article about Lakpa]
Certifications
Wilderness First Responder
VERNON TEJAS SENIOR GUIDE, INTERNATIONAL & MOUNTAINEERING SCHOOL
Vern is known for Denali’s first solo winter ascent, the first solo of Mt. Vinson (Antarctica’s highest), first winter ascent of Mt. Logan (Canada’s highest) and as lead guide for Col. Norman Vaughan’s first ascent of Mt. Vaughan in remote Antarctica. In 2000, Vern was named one of Alaska’s top 50 athletes of the century by Sports Illustrated In addition to his fame in the extreme environments of Alaska, Greenland and Antarctica, Vernon’s success in guiding people to the summit is simply remarkable. Along with numerous highly guided expeditions, Vern is an eight time summiter of Everest and an avid adventure racer finishing 10th in 1999 and 13th in 2001 in the Eco-Challenge Race. Vern’s guided ascents are an extremely unique blend of his dynamic spirit, climbing expertise and guiding savvy, known throughout the guiding community. Vernon also led our expedition to Iran’s Mt. Damavand (one of the first American guided climbs). Recently Vern had outstanding success Mt. Vinson, Last Degree-South Pole, Denali , Elbrus (Europe’s highest) and has guided all of our Everest expeditions this century. Notable among his accomplishments on the Seven Summits, Vern climbed and guided all 7 in 186 days, he has climbed all 7 at least 8 times. He completed all 7 twice within a year. With a guitar in hand and a smile on his face, Vernon treats everyone to the remarkable experience of life. [Click for Interview with Vern.]
Significant Climbs
Mt Everest (8 guided)
Cho-Oyu (1 guided)
Mt Rainier (2 Guided)
Denali (40+ guided & personal - 1st solo winter ascent)
Mt. Vinson (22 guided & personal - 1st solo ascent)
Greenland (Many guided & personal)
Kilimanjaro (12 guided, and speed ascent)
Aconcagua (18 guided & personal speed ascents)
Matterhorn (1 personal)
Damavand (1 guided)
Elbrus (14 guided, and two speed solos)
Mt. Hunter (first winter ascent)
Mt. Logan (first winter ascent)
Mt. Blanc (guided and personal)
Awards & Recognition
Life member American Alpine Club
Alaskan of the Year Governor’s Award
Sports Illustrated Top 50 Athletes of Century: Alaska
Eco-Challenge finisher 10th & 13th
NPS Denali Pro Pin for Rescue
“Cover Boy” Alaska Magazine
15 year member USHPA (Paragliding)
Producer "Strummit from Summit"
Host TV special "Food Network"
Guide and talent TV special "ESPN"
Certifications
Wilderness First Responder (5 times)
20 year member AK Mountain Rescue
GARRETT MADISONEXPEDITION MANAGER, GUIDE, ACONCAGUA, MOUNT RAINIER
Garrett has been a professional guide for 9 years and over that time his passion for mountain climbing has resulted in expeditions to peaks in the Americas such as Denali, Rainier, the Super volcanoes such as El Pico de Orizaba in Mexico, Cotopaxi and Cayambe in Ecuador, high peaks in Peru, and the stone Sentinel of South America, Aconcagua. Garrett has also lived and traveled extensively in Europe, skiing and climbing in the Alps. Climbing Kilimanjaro is one of his favorites, especially in combination with a game viewing safari after the climb. Garrett has been on several expeditions to the Himalaya such as Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu, and Mt. Everest. Spending half his year in the office balancing his job as Expedition Manager for Alpine Ascents as well as guiding a fair amount provides an excellent opportunity to constantly develop and perfect one of his favorite aspects related to climbing, training! Garrett is busy in the summer months devoting much of his time to working in the field with our Rainier program.
Significant Guided Ascents
1 ascent of Mt. Everest, summitted on May 21, 2006
103 ascents of Mt. Rainier
3 expeditions to Denali
2 expeditions to Aconcagua
1 expedition to Ecuador’s Volcanoes (Cayambe & Cotopaxi)
1 expedition to Peru’s Cordillera Blanca
2 expeditions to Mexico’s Orizaba
6 ascents of Mont Blanc
1 expedition to Cho Oyu (Tibet)
1 expedition to Ama Dablam (Nepal)
1 US Army Ranger training exercise
Certifications
Wilderness First Responder
CPR
Level 2 Avalanche Forecasting for Guides
MICHAEL HORSTGUIDE, INTERNATIONAL, DENALI, RAINIER
Michael grew up climbing and skiing in the mountains of Washington and has been guiding on Mount Rainier and internationally since 2000, with over 100 successful summits on Rainier alone to his credit. Michael exhibits span leadership abilities in bringing groups of climbers together into cohesive teams. He is proficient in the technical aspects of mountain climbing but also the strategic aspects such as planning and executing a multifaceted climb of an 8000 meter peak. Michael is remarkably calm and at ease when climbing at high altitude such as on the summit of Cho Oyu. Being a seasoned guide on Rainier has enabled Michael to successfully guide numerous groups to the top of major peaks such as Denali and Aconcagua. Having guided over 10 expeditions to the Mexican Volcanoes, and several expeditions to Ecuador’s Volcanoes and Bolivia’s high Andean peaks, Michael is not only familiar with climbing the great mountains of South America but is also fluent in Spanish. In addition to climbing, Michael enjoys backcountry skiing, mountain biking, adventure racing, surfing and kite boarding.
Significant Climbs
1 summit of Cho Oyu
2 summits of Denali
107+ summits of Mount Rainier
3 summits of Mount street
2 summits of Chimborazo and Cotapaxi (Ecuador)
6 climbs of Aconcagua (Argentina)
10 summits of El Pico de Orizaba & Ixtaccihuatl (Mexico)
2004 Subaru Primal Quest
Certifications
Wilderness First Responder
Avalanche Level II
ELLIE HENKEGUIDE, INTERNATIONAL & MOUNTAINEERING SCHOOL
As an assistant guide, Ellie has added a superb dimension to our domestic and international programs. A naturalist by profession, Ellie has assisted Willi in guiding Aconcagua, Ecuador's Volcanoes, Mt. Baker, Rainier, and teaching classes at the AAMS for over 15 years. A talented artist, she is an asset to every trip she joins, bringing a wealth of experience, cultural knowledge and teaching skills to every expedition. Ellie is our Base Camp Manager on Aconcagua and Mount Everest.
Certifications
Wilderness First Responder