Eddie Bauer alpinists Adrian Ballinger and Cory Richards successfully summited Mt. Everest.
Ballinger reached the mountain’s peak without the use of supplemental oxygen, a feat accomplished only by just over 200 others to date. This is the first successful “no O’s” summit for Ballinger, who has summited Everest a previous six times with supplemental oxygen.
Richards’ decision to push forward, adding supplemental oxygen for the final 36 vertical meters of his climb, was in an effort to ensure Ballinger’s success – a demonstration of their commitment to the partnership. Last year’s climb proved successful for Richards, who summited the 8,848-meter peak without oxygen for the first time. Ballinger, an Everest veteran, was forced to turn back due to hypothermia less than 300 meters from the top. His calculated but heartbreaking decision was the catalyst for their return to the mountain this year, working together to ensure that both of them reached the top of the world’s tallest peak and captured the Snap to prove it. They spent a total of 37 days on the mountain, logging over 130 miles.
Their journey was captured in real time through their various EverestNoFilter social channels, with data analyzed via the sports mobile app, Strava. Using the latest Samsung Galaxy S8 smartphone and Samsung’s 360 gear, Richards and Ballinger gave fans around the world an authentic, immediate look at the preparation and ultimate execution of climbing Mt. Everest.
“I’ve dreamt of summiting Mt. Everest without supplemental oxygen since I was fourteen years old. Today Cory helped me turn that goal into a reality and for that I am forever grateful,” said Ballinger, now with a 7-summit record.
“Today we completed a journey two years in the making,” said Cory Richards. “Adrian reaching the top of Everest, this time with no Os, brought everything full circle. I’m proud to celebrate his victory – a byproduct of hard work, unwavering determination and a killer support team.”
In preparation for this year’s expedition, the two used an innovative accelerated process that enabled them to bypass the traditional methods of acclimatization and allowed them to summit in a mere six weeks. A carefully curated team of mountain professionals, including a base camp manager, meteorologists, expedition doctor and local Sherpa team, combined with training plans and a customized diet, which included Hiball energy drinks, ensured their ultimate success.
Eddie Bauer has a history of outfitting mountaineering expeditions on Everest, beginning in 1963 when Eddie Bauer outfitted the first Americans to summit the mountain. Today, Eddie Bauer’s guides and athletes are some of the most accomplished on Everest and hold a combined 50 summits.
“Everest is the ultimate challenge in mountaineering and exploration that requires calculated patience, experience and respect,” said Mike Egeck, chief executive officer for Eddie Bauer. “Cory and Adrian exemplified these characteristics and have inspired others to pursue their own adventures through their content capture. We are extremely proud of their accomplishments on Everest and to have them both on our team.”
In addition to Eddie Bauer, Richards and Ballinger’s expedition partners included Alpenglow Expeditions, Samsung, Strava and Hiball Energy.
