MSU NEWS SERVICE
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, March 3, for a March 27 lecture at Montana State University by legendary mountaineers Conrad Anker and Jimmy Chin.
The world-famous mountaineering team will speak about their successes, challenges and hardships at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 27, in MSU’s SUB Ballroom. A Q-and-A will follow the lecture. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Khumbu Climbing Center, a center that trains Sherpas in Nepal.
“We are ecstatic to have two world-renowned mountaineers, both featured in National Geographic and Outside magazines, share their stories, including the tough stuff that has made them leaders,” said Carmen McSpadden, director of the MSU Leadership Institute, which is sponsoring the event.
With many first ascents and creation of new routes across the world ranging from Antarctica to Alaska, Anker is a modern climbing legend. His third climb on Everest inspired a documentary on the finding of George Mallory, a British mountaineer who disappeared during an attempted first ascent of Everest in 1924. A resident of Bozeman, Anker serves on many boards in Gallatin County, including the MSU Leadership Institute’s National Advisory board.
Climbing, skiing and surviving with the best in the industry, Chin carries all of his own camera equipment to document his adventures. He has filmed and photographed many breakthrough expeditions around the world. His photography has been featured on the cover of National Geographic. Chin’s award-winning documentary “Meru,” which featured him, Anker and Renan Ozturk and their attempt at a first ascent of the Shark’s Fin in Meru, India, won the Audience Award at Sundance.
All proceeds from the evening benefit the Khumbu Climbing Center in Phortse, Nepal, that trains Sherpas in technical climbing founded in 2003 by the Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation. The KCC’s mission is to increase the safety margin of Nepali climbers and high altitude workers by encouraging responsible climbing practices in a supportive community-based program. Nearly 1,000 Nepali men and women have attended the KCC.
The permanent residence provides technical climbing gear, educational materials, indoor and outdoor training walls, year-round access for both Nepali and visiting climbers, and serves as a community center, library and medical clinic for Phortse. The program has been operational for 15 years and a permanent structure designed by students, faculty and alumni from the MSU School of Architecture is nearing completion.
Doors will open at 6:45 pm.
Anker and Chin’s appearance is sponsored by the MSU Leadership Institute, ASMSU, Office of the Provost and the Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation.
For more information, including where to purchase tickets, call the MSU Leadership Institute at (406) 994-7275 or visit montana.edu/leadership.
