Swedish mountain climber Göran Kropp, with writer David Lagercrantz, chronicled in the book Ultimate High his incredible 1996 human-powered trek from Stockholm to the summit of Mount Everest. In a slide-illustrated lecture titled Ultimate High: My Mount Everest Odyssey—From Sea Level to Summit on Monday, November 15 at 8 p.m. in UCSB Campbell Hall, Kropp will describe his unprecedented adventure. Courtesy of the UCSB Bookstore, copies of Kropp’s book will be available for purchase and signing at the event.

A consummate athlete, Kropp wants to do what other people consider “impossible.” He is also motivated by a strong intrinsic ecological ethic, exasperation over all the trash—oxygen bottles, tents, food, even beer cans—he had seen discarded by climbers on mountain slopes and dismay about extravagant trips that include cappuccino machines and wine cellars at the base camp, porters, guides and oxygen on the mountain.

In October 1995, Kropp left Stockholm on his bicycle, towing the 240 pounds of equipment he would need for his trip. He cycled 8,000 miles through Europe and Asia, narrowly avoiding being shot in Turkey, stoned in Iran and lynched in Pakistan, and arrived five months later in Kathmandu. Kropp’s first attempt at the summit was foiled by the storm described in Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air, which claimed the lives of eight climbers, and he had to descend after coming within 350 vertical feet and 60 minutes of the top of the mountain. Determined to accomplish what he had set out to do, and faced with the oncoming monsoon season which closed the mountain to climbing until the following year, Kropp tried again and succeeded. On May 23, he reached the summit, having refused any assistance or supplemental oxygen, the most self-sufficient combined approach and climb of Everest ever. Within days, he began his return trip to Stockholm on his trusty bicycle.

In May of this year, he initiated a clean up project of Everest, collecting empty oxygen bottles and debris that had accumulated there, and summited once again.

Kropp began enjoying high-altitude experiences in 1988. He was the second person ever to reach the summit of K2, the second highest mountain in the world, without oxygen assistance in 1993. His next project is a planned venture in 2003 to sail single-handedly to the Antarctic, ski across the vast ice-fields to the South Pole, retrace his steps on skis and sail back home.

Göran Kropp’s visit is presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures as part of the Speakers Tour of the 6th Annual Banff Mountain Book Festival.

For tickets or more information,
call UCSB Arts & Lectures at (805) 893-3535.

Editor: For photos, please call
Roman Baratiak at (805) 893-2080.