Lessons from High Altitude Mountainerring

Group photo of hikers on a snowy mountain summit.

A Dream of Summit and Stewardship

In late 1991, Scott Fischer and Steve Goryl learned of the idea of an Environmental Everest Climb. Inspired by Liz Nichol and Bob McConnell—the first recipients of the David Brower Award for Conservation—they set out to explore every avenue of conservation on the world’s tallest peak. “We wanted to climb Everest, not just to conquer it, but to protect it.” – Steve Goryl. After team changes and funding challenges, a strong core team of five climbers was formed, ready to take on the world’s highest mountain.

 

Meet the Expedition Team

Steve Goryl—Expedition Leader

  • The former N.O.L.S. instructor climbed Denali with students and Wilford Welch.
  • Summited Aconcagua (22,834 ft) five times with students (1988–1990).
  • Climbed to the Everest summit alone, after waiting four days in 100+ mph winds at 26,000 ft.

Scott Fischer—Climb Leader

  • Founding member of Mountain Madness and former N.O.L.S. instructor.
  • Attempted Everest twice before; during this expedition, became the 4th American to summit without oxygen.
  • Known from The Climb and Into Thin Air.

Rob Hess—Equipment Leader

  • Climbed near the summit of K2.
  • Former N.O.L.S. instructor, responsible for gear, logistics, and safety.

Additional team members and Sherpas ensured a strong, cohesive climb.

Brent Bishop — Team Member

Brent Bishop — Team Member

Key expedition team member contributing to high-altitude operations and overall mission support.

Dr. Steve Gipe — Expedition Physician

Dr. Steve Gipe — Expedition Physician

Medical lead responsible for team health, high-altitude medicine, and emergency response throughout the expedition.

Historic Feat: The First Environmental Everest Expedition

In spring 1994, Steve Goryl led the first-ever environmental expedition to the summit of Mt. Everest via the Nepal side. Key highlights:

  • 5 climbers, 5 Sherpas, 2 climbers summited without oxygen (3rd and 4th Americans to do so).
  • The team removed 5,000 pounds of trash from Everest, including bottles, tent poles, fabric, and plastic.
  • Set a new environmental standard: Nepal now requires every Everest team to remove at least 2,000 pounds of trash.
  • Awarded the David Brower Award for Environmental Action by the American Alpine Club.

Cleaning the Roof of the World

“We didn’t just climb Everest. We made it cleaner, safer, and a model for environmental stewardship.”

Audience listening to outdoor adventure talk
Ice climber navigating a precarious ladder

High-Altitude Lessons, Up Close

Steve brings the Expedition 94 story alive with:

  • A 90-minute presentation packed with lessons, challenges, and triumphs.
  • Exclusive photos and videos from the climb, including summit footage.
  • Interactive artifacts from the expedition that the audience can touch and explore.
  • Engaging Q&A session sharing insights on high-altitude climbing, team dynamics, and environmental action.

Dramatic Note

Steve spent 5 days trapped at 26,000 ft in 100+ mph winds, summited alone on Friday, May 13th, 1994, and descended to base camp on his 40th birthday, completing a 2.5-month journey.

Why This Expedition Stands Apart

  • Trailblazing Environmental Impact: Removed 5,000 lbs of trash—leading to Nepal’s modern cleanup rules.
  • High-Altitude Mastery: Summiting Everest without oxygen demonstrates elite mountaineering skill.
  • Leadership & Inspiration: Experience, resilience, and environmental advocacy.
  • Proven Track Record: Steve has presented over 100 times nationally, including at Patagonia, North Face, S.M.U., and top universities.
Cold-weather gear and colorful oxygen tanks
Group posing on rocky mountain terrain

Leadership, Teamwork, and High-Altitude Insight

Each presentation of Expedition 94 is customized for businesses, teams, and adventure enthusiasts, turning Everest’s lessons into actionable strategies for leadership, teamwork, and environmental stewardship. Steve has shared Expedition 94 across the country:

  • Patagonia
  • North Face
  • Southern Methodist University (S.M.U.)
  • Numerous corporate and academic venues

Experience, Expertise, and Engagement

Everest & Enterprise brings:

  • 30+ years of high-altitude mountaineering experience
  • National speaking engagements
  • Motivational insights for businesses and organizations
  • Proven history of leading challenging expeditions in Alaska, Nepal, and beyond
Resting in winter gear

Five Highest of the Seven Summits

Climbers navigating icy crevasse with ladders
Majestic mountains with snow-capped summit
Cloudy mountain top with snowcap
Mountain peak at sunset with orange clouds
Snowy mountain peak with blue sky
Rocky mountain top surrounded by clouds
Blue sky over snowy mountain peaks
Icy mountain ridge against blue backdrop
Majestic snowy mountain landscape

Climb to Success: Lessons From the Summit

Our resources are designed for corporate audiences seeking inspiration and practical strategies. You’ll see what it takes to plan and execute major expeditions and learn how these lessons translate directly into achieving individual, team, and organizational goals. We explore the critical importance of risk assessment, resource management, and strategic decision-making—skills essential both on the mountain and in the boardroom.

Everest and Lhotse elevation diagram

Sagarmatha (Everest) Environmental Expedition (S.E.E. 1994)

Scott Fischer and Steve Goryl heard of the idea of an Environmental Everest Climb.

They were inspired by Liz Nichol and Bob McConnell's efforts on the Chinese side of the world's highest mountain. Liz and Bob were the first recipients of the David Brower Award for Conservation.

Together, Scott and Steve formed a team that was intent on exploring every avenue of conservation on this majestic peak. After several member changes, and a loss of permit funding, a strong team of five climbers was forged:

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A rural dirt airstrip with a small village and mountains in the background.
A baby shark puppet surrounded by plush toys and colorful objects.
Snow-covered mountain peak with strong winds blowing snow off the summit.
Explorers trekking through snowy mountainous terrain with sleds.
Group of climbers ascending a snowy mountain slope in harsh conditions.
Two men in green jackets smiling with a snowy background.
Man smiling while playing beach cricket with a green bat.
Snow-covered mountain range under a clear blue sky.
People gathered on snowy ground, some sitting and some standing with gear.

Denali Expedition (N.O.L.S.)

This N.O.L.S. climb was led by instructors Steve Goryl and Jim Chisholm. They were selected by the school for their experience at altitude and glacier travel. The school determined that the climb should be the standard West Buttress route. This route involves using air support to land on the Kahiltna Glacier.

The climbing team included the school’s Chairman of the Board, Wilford Welch, as one of the students. In 1990 there were a number of large climbing groups also on the mountain. This caused the N.O.L.S. team to climb the “Rescue Gully” instead of the standard West Buttress route.

After reaching the camp at 17,500 ft, the National Park Service requested help with a body recovery. Jim and Steve moved the body down the Rescue Gully to return the person to his climbing team. As the weather cleared, all team members made the summit of Denali and had a safe descent back to the airfield.

At 20,320 feet, Mt. Denali, also known as Mount McKinley, is the highest mountain in North America. For 29 days and nights, NOLS instructors Steve Goryl and Jim Chisholm led an expedition up and down the mountain. At the time, Steve was the lead mountaineering instructor at NOLS, and Wilford the chairman of the board.

K-2 Aviation took us to the Kahiltna Glacier at 7,500 ft, where our 7-mile trek to Camp 1 commenced. This photo, taken by expedition leader Steve Goryl, includes NOLS instructor Jim Chisholm to the left of the NOLS banner.

On day 14, the mountain was hit by a major storm that forced us to stay put for four days. During those same days and nights, a Japanese team was caught near the summit, resulting in the death of their leader from High Altitude Pulmonary Edema.

Our two leaders, Steve Goryl and Jim Chisholm, despite having been climbing with the team for fifteen hours in deep wet snow, left us to set up camp at 17,500 ft and, at the request of the National Park Service, continued up to 18,500 ft and brought the body down.

The next day, a team made up largely of National Park Service rangers came up and brought the body down to 14,000 ft, where a helicopter transported the body to Anchorage.

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Summit Your Potential

Take the lessons of Everest—resilience, leadership, teamwork, and environmental stewardship—and apply them to your organization. Steve Goryl brings the adventure, insight, and inspiration directly to your team, leaving a lasting impact that motivates action. Ready to inspire your team?