Mountain Culture

Michael Kennedy

Friday, November 7
Max Bell Auditorium

Michael Kennedy has found inspiration in the mountains for over 35 years and at 56 remains an active rock climber, back country skier, and biker. In the 1970s, between climbing trips that established him as one of the leading alpinists of his generation, Kennedy edited and published Climbing Magazine, which he crafted into the world’s premier climbing publication.

Kennedy’s climbing achievements are just as impressive. He was a pioneer of winter mountaineering and technical ice climbing in Colorado in the 1970s. He has made first ascents on some of Alaska’s hardest routes, including the Infinite Spur on Mount Foraker and the Wall of Shadows on Mount Hunter. Most notably was the first ascent, in winter, of the Northeast Face of Ama Dablam in the Khumbu Himlaya of Nepal, made with Carlos Buhler.

Today, Kennedy lives in Carbondale, Colorado, with his wife Julie and their 18-year-old son, Hayden, who is also an accomplished rock climber. He says, “It took me years to figure out, but I always try to remember that climbing isn’t everything. It’s important, but you have to balance that essentially selfish pursuit with some semblance of a normal life. Work, family, friends, and community are all vital ingredients in any success you achieve in the mountains, and they require at least as much energy, focus, and commitment as the hardest climb you’ll ever do.”