067: Vern Tejas - 7 Summits 10X

Vern Tejas has spent his life in the mountains. In this episode we discuss his achievements, evolution as a climber and his ability to make correct choices in complex settings. 
First, his list of accomplishments is beyond extraordinary. Tejas is the first person to ever climb the 7 summits 10 times each; the 70 Summits. Vern summited Denali 55 times. Teejas' 39 summits of Vinson, in Antartica, remains the record for most ever.
Second, Vern is a leader in solo winter ascents. This particular discipline might be the most stunning. When the conditions are the harshest, and help is not present, Vern climbs.
Finally, Vern Tejasis the first person to solo summit Denali in the winter. To help save him in the event of falling into a crevasse, Vern, hauled an aluminum ladder behind in to act as a means of self-rescue.