Steve Swenson (born February 14, 1954) is an American rock climber, mountaineer, and author. Swenson served as the president of the board of directors for the American Alpine Club from 2009 to 2012.[1]

Climbing career

Swenson is known for his big-mountain climbing expeditions to the Karakoram range,[2] about which he wrote the book Karakoram: Climbing Through the Kashmir Conflict, published by Mountaineers Books. Swenson has taken part in over 15 expeditions to the area.[3]

In 2012, Swenson along with Mark Richey and Freddie Wilkinson,[4] made the first ascent of Sasser Kangri II. At the time, the peak was the second highest unclimbed mountain in the world. For their climbing, the team was awarded the Piolet d’Or.[5]

In 2019, Swenson, along with Graham Zimmerman, Mark Richey, and Chris Wright, climbed Link Sar, for its first ascent. The team was awarded the Piolet d'Or in 2020, for their achievement.[6] Swenson had attempted to climb it twice before, in 2000 and 2017.[7] Steve is one of only a few people to receive more than one Piolet d'Or, considered mountaineering's highest honor.[8]

Personal life

Along with his climbing career, Swenson had a 35-year career as a water resources consulting engineer.[9]

Notable ascents

Writings

  • Karakoram: Climbing Through the Kashmir Conflict, published by Mountaineers Books in 2017.

References

  1. ↑ "Past Presidents". The American Alpine Club.
  2. 1 2 3 "Steve Swenson: What I've Learned". Rock and Ice. December 20, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  3. ↑ Gee, Dana (April 14, 2017). "Climber Steve Swenson takes readers on a journey through Karakoram". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Saser Kangri II In Alpine Style - Alpinist.com". www.alpinist.com. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  5. 1 2 Swenson, Steve. "Steve Swenson". The Mountaineers. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  6. ↑ "4 Climbs Honored With 2020 Piolet d'Or Awards". Climbing. August 13, 2020.
  7. 1 2 "American Team Makes First Ascent of 7,041-Meter Link Sar". Rock and Ice. August 7, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Congratulations to Steve Swenson on his 2020 Piolet d'Or Award". The Mountaineers.
  9. ↑ "Board of Directors". The Mountaineers. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
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