Elevation Outdoors Beyond Talks at REI: Himalayan Triple Eight Expedition

Mike and Matt Moniz departed this spring for the Himalaya with an incredibly ambitious plan: to be the first expedition to climb three 8,000 meter peaks back to back to back. The targeted peaks were to start on the sixth highest peak in the world, Cho Oyu, climbing from the Chinese side to acclimatize. Then to helicopter the 40-some miles to Namche Bazzar in Nepal for their Everest bid, and finally, pending all goes well, climb up Lothse which shares the South Col with Everest.

If that weren’t remarkable enough, note that Matt Moniz, Mikes son, is only 16 years old. When Matt was 12, he was recognized as a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year when he and Mike set (and still hold) the record for reaching each highpoint in the 50 US states in 43 days.

After the tragic avalanche event shut down the Everest climbing season from the Nepal side, Mike and Matt kept their focus on Cho Oyu and overcame the incredible winds which delayed their summit push. Once that was accomplished they had to figure out what to do now that Everest had shut down.

Come hear their incredible story. Mike and Matt, who live in Boulder, will share their tale with anyone interested at REI in Boulder at the Elevation Outdoors Beyond Talks event. Join us at 6:30 p.m. on June 18. Seating is limited so be sure to register here!