Ignite the Climb

Ignite the Climb:

An evening benefiting TRTC’s production of K2

Saturday, January 31

5:00 pm

Join us for an evening with Mike Marolt.

Mike Marolt is an inducted USA Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame ski mountaineer from Aspen Colorado. From age 12 when his father introduced him to the art of climbing for skiing on Independence Pass, he and his twin brother, Steve, along lifelong friend Jim Gile have taken their ski mountaineering to the greater ranges over the past 40 years. They have amassed arguably the greatest ski descent resume in the world’s 5,000-meter to 8,000-meter (19,000 – 26,000 feet) peak arena with expeditions to some 60 of the world’s highest peaks. The trio has concentrated on only pure style expeditions, shunning Sherpa / Porter assistance as well as the use of supplemental oxygen and altitude drugs, an aspect that enhances their accomplishments.

5:00 pm: Cocktail Hour with screening of Shishapangma:  Ski from the Death Zone

6:30 pm: Dinner at Sprazzo with Mike

Mike Marolt’s descents and accomplishments:

2000 First Americans to ski from 8,000 m/26,247 ft., Shishapangma, Tibet
2003 First Americans to ski Mt. Everest’s North Ridge
2007 First Americans, 5th people ever, with multiple ski descents from above 8,000 m/26,000 ft., Cho Oyu, Tibet
2007 Their second ski descent of Mt. Everest’s north ridge
2008 First Americans, second people ever, to ski Bolivia’s highest peak, Sajama, 6,545 m/21,475 ft.
2009 First ski descent of Tibet’s Norjin Kansang, 7,206m / 23,642 ft. their 6th ski descent from 7,000 meters for the most ever pure style.
2010 First ski descent of Peru’s Coropuna, Baraco Route, 6,425 m/21,079 ft.
2011 First Americans, second people ever, to ski Ecuador’s highest peak, Chimborozo, 6,310 m/20,700 ft. (First and only single day speed ascent / descent)
2012 First Americans, second ever, descent of Bolivia’s Illimani, 6,438 m/21,150 ft. (First and only single day speed ascent / descent).
2013/2014 Attempts at first ever winter ski descent from above 7,000 meters, Mustagh Atta, China.
2015 HImlung HImal Nepal, world record high winter ski descent, 21,150 feet.
2018 Induction to USA Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame
2018 First ever ski descent Ampato, Peru, 6288 meters/20,630 feet; first ski descent Sabancya, Peru,5976 meters / 19,600 feet
2019 First ever ski descent Chumpe, Peru 6106 meters/  20,033 feet
2019 Wasatch Adventure Film Festival Recipients of The Mallory lifetime achievement award

About Shishapangma: Ski from the Death Zone

Shishapangma: Ski from Death Zone refers to a documentary and expeditions focused on ski mountaineering on Shishapangma (8,027m), an 8,000-meter peak in Tibet, highlighting the extreme risks of skiing from the “death zone” (above 8,000m) and the first American ski descent in 2000 by the Marolt brothers (Mike & Steve) and Jon Krakauer. The project documented their ambitious goal to ski from an 8k peak, a challenging feat requiring immense skill and luck amidst dangerous high-altitude conditions, culminating in a successful descent and a film produced by American Adventure Productions.

Key Aspects of the film:

The Mountain: Shishapangma is the only 8,000-meter peak entirely in China, known for its relatively accessible base camp but treacherous upper reaches.

The Goal: To achieve the first American ski descent from an 8,000-meter peak, using skis for both ascent and descent.

The Team: Mike Marolt, Steve Marolt, and Jon Krakauer (later joined by others) were central figures, inspired by Ed Viesturs‘s advice on the standard route.

The Challenges: Navigating the death zone, managing logistics, rapidly gaining extreme altitude (base camp at 16,000 ft), and dealing with avalanche risk.

The Film: Shishapangma – Ski from the Death Zone captured this pioneering effort, showcasing the beauty and danger of extreme ski mountaineering.