Laurie Skreslet

On October 5th, 1982, Laurie Skreslet became the first Canadian to summit Mount Everest. His extensive experience as a professional mountaineer spans over three decades, during which he has led more than 30 world-class expeditions across the Canadian Rockies, Nepal, South America, and India.

Laurie has effectively merged his climbing expertise with his role as a motivational speaker, impacting over 500,000 people across 2000 organizations. He discusses the parallels between climbing and business challenges, emphasizing personal commitment, teamwork, and the importance of mental preparation and overcoming fears. He continues to lead Business Leadership and Challenge Courses in the Canadian Rockies, where he integrates these themes into practical leadership skills.

Apart from his speaking engagements, Laurie has authored the bestselling book "To the Top of Everest," which was nominated for the "Children’s Choice" Award and the "Canadian Book of the Year for Children" Award. As a Certified ACMG Guide, he has also been an instructor at both the Canadian and Colorado Outward Bound Mountain Schools, and he has led over 20 guided trips to climb Aconcagua, one of the Seven Summits and the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere. In 2007, to mark the 25th anniversary of his historic Everest summit, a two-part television drama titled "The Climb" was produced by CBC-TV, which aired on CBC and the outdoor network.