13 dead and 3 unrecoverable, Jim Geiger opens up about his Mt. Everest Attempt

Yesterday marked the 61st anniversary of Sir Edmund Hilary's Mount Everest summit. About a month ago Jim returned from the base camp at Everest in an unsuccessful attempt to summit Everest. What stood in his way? The most deadly avalanche in Everest history. It claimed the lives of 16 very experienced climbers. Had he succeeded, he would have been the oldest American and first great-grandfather to make it to the top.

In a 17 minute interview with Capital Public Radio's Beth Ruyak, Jim opened up about the experience, what brought him to that point and what was on the horizon.

Listen to the full Insight interview.

Read more about Jim's journey in previous posts.

Sir Edmund Hillary, on Challenges and Climbing Mount Everest with Tenzing Norgay

May 29 will mark the 61st anniversary of Edmund Hillary's historic summit of Mount Everest. In the waining months of 1991 the American Academy of Achievement conducted an interview with Sir Edmund Hillary about his historic 1953 climb entitled From Beekeeper to World Explorer. Watch the excerpt below to hear several challenges of being a trail blazer to the top of the world and about how he wouldn't have made it without Tenzing Norgay, his sherpa guide.

This climb season Jim Geiger went to Everest to attempt to be the oldest American to summit the tallest peak. When he got back at the beginning of the month he had this to say about the deadliest avalanche that killed 16 Sherpa.

Jim Geiger's Send Off Party

A guy I've been day hiking with for about a year set out Sunday, March 23, to summit the highest peak in the world.

Jim Geiger took 28 years to get to this point, but he's not letting his age be an obstacle in his goals of living a healthy lifestyle. When he summits Mount Everest his distinction will be as the oldest American and the first Great Grandfather to make it to the top of the top. He has been influenced by a few and his 'just start' attitude has influenced many he has come in contact with. A few of which came to his send off party a couple weeks ago in Carmichael, Calif. and are featured above. Read more about Jim's trek up Everest at the International Mountain Guides travel blog.

The biggest question though, is what is your Everest?