Adrian Ballinger

Adrian Ballinger is a highly skilled mountain athlete and business owner. As the founder and CEO of Alpenglow Expeditions, Ballinger has revolutionized the field with his Rapid Ascent™ expeditions. His innovative approach to expedition planning and his commitment to responsible climbing practices have established him as a leader in the industry.

Ballinger's accomplishments as an alpinist and skier are extensive. Not only is he the only American to have skied from the summit of three 8,000-meter peaks, but in 2011, he also became the first person to summit three 8,000-meter peaks in just three weeks. As of 2022, Ballinger has made 18 successful summits of 8,000-meter peaks, including eight summits of Mt. Everest. His achievements also include being the fourth American to have summited both Mount Everest and K2 without the aid of supplemental oxygen. Ballinger's dramatic attempt to summit Everest without supplemental oxygen in 2016, followed by his successful ascent in 2017, was documented in the award-winning "Everest No Filter" social media program. In 2019, he again showcased his endurance and skill by summiting K2 without supplemental oxygen, a feat captured in the feature documentary "Breathtaking: K2 - The World's Most Dangerous Mountain."

As a certified IFMGA/AMGA mountain guide, Ballinger has led over 150 international climbing expeditions on six continents. His leadership has successfully expedited more than 40 Himalayan summits over 6000 meters, including Makalu, the world's fifth tallest peak. He also served as the lead guide and expedition outfitter for a Discovery Channel-sponsored expedition in 2019 to uncover the mystery of Mount Everest's first summit in 1924.

In addition to his own personal victories, Ballinger has guided numerous climbers to their own successes. His professional credentials include AMGA Rock, Alpine, and Ski Certifications. His commitment to ethical standards in guiding is evident in his leadership of the Alpenglow Expeditions Clean Up Expedition on Ama Dablam and his participation in expeditions on Kilimanjaro, Denali, Alpamayo, Huascarán Sur, and Cotopaxi, among others.

As a professional speaker, Ballinger draws upon his experiences in a career marked by significant personal achievements, as well as his role in guiding others through challenging climbing expeditions. His insights into risk management and preparation – essential for endeavors where stakes are a matter of life or death – are applicable to a broad range of audiences.