Founder, CEO & Head Guide of Alpenglow Expeditions; Alpinist & Ski Mountaineer

Tahoe City, CA, USA
Live Event: Please Contact Virtual Event: $20,000 - $30,000 More Fee Info

Adrian Ballinger Biography

Adrian Ballinger is a world-renowned mountaineer, big mountain skier, and mountain guide. Pioneering and innovative, he has climbed over 18 8,000-meter peaks, including Mount Everest, which he has summited nine times.

Ballinger’s relationship with Everest encapsulates everything his career stands for. As a climber, he consistently pushes the limits, exemplified by his 2017 expedition where he became the fourth American to summit Everest without supplemental oxygen. His numerous ascents of the mountain inspired him to found Alpenglow Expeditions, an international mountain guide company for which he serves as Founder and IFMGA Mountain Guide. Aspenglow aims to help others safely and successfully navigate tall peaks. The company utilizes Rapid Ascent, a pioneering pre-acclimatization program designed by Ballinger and Alpenglow, which cuts the time required to summit in half. This process involves sleeping in a pressurized tent at home, physically preparing climbers for high-altitude expeditions, and setting them up for safer success.

A passionate environmentalist, Ballinger also uses Alpenglow as a platform for education and preservation of the natural world. He works closely with the Nepalese people on initiatives to clean up the mountains and ensure that visitors leave no trace of their tourism.

Ballinger’s unique ability to blend a zest for life with a respect for risk enables him to tackle the planet’s toughest peaks. He is credited with the first ski descents of Makalu and Manaslu, and is the only American to have completed three successful ski descents of 8,000-meter peaks.

In 2016, he completed his second ski descent of Cho Oyu with his wife, fellow climber Emily Harrington. The duo met at Everest Base Camp in 2012 and have been inseparable ever since—as partners, professionals, and, as of 2022, parents. Harrington and Ballinger travel the world together, sharing their adventures on their YouTube channel, DangerStikTV.

Ballinger’s dedication to approaching challenging summits with intention and meticulous planning has made him a go-to resource for media seeking thought leadership on safe and ethical climbing practices. He strives to make climbing accessible to anyone who dreams of adventure.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/02/2025.

Adrian Ballinger Speaking Topics

  • Adrian Ballinger's speaking sessions deliver hard-earned insights from some of the highest, harshest places on Earth.

    Drawing from his experiences on Everest, K2, and as CEO of Alpenglow Expeditions, he breaks down what it takes to lead, adapt, and perform when failure isn’t an option. With a sharp focus on risk, innovation, and resilience, Adrian challenges audiences to think differently, act decisively, and thrive under pressure.

Adrian Ballinger Videos

Adrian Ballinger's Speaking Reel

Adrian Ballinger's Speaking Reel

This Guy Survived Everest EIGHT Times | Adrian Ballinger x Rich Roll

This Guy Survived Everest EIGHT Times | Adrian Ballinger x Rich Roll

Adrian Ballinger is an elite mountaineer and founder of Alpenglow Expeditions. We discuss the perilous world of Everest expeditions, his qualitative...

Outdoor Curious™ | Top Facts & FAQs about K2 Answered

Outdoor Curious™ | Top Facts & FAQs about K2 Answered

Ever asked the question, where in the world is K2? Or wondered how many people have climbed K2? Well, Eddie Bauer Alpine Climbing Guide Adrian...

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  • What are the speaker fees for Adrian Ballinger

    Speaking fees for Adrian Ballinger, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Adrian Ballinger are available upon request for live events and $20,000 - $30,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Adrian Ballinger, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Adrian Ballinger speak about?

  • Where does Adrian Ballinger travel from?

    Adrian Ballinger generally travels from Tahoe City, CA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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Adrian Ballinger is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Adrian Ballinger's speaking sessions deliver hard-earned insights from some of the highest, harshest places on Earth. . The estimated speaking fee range to book Adrian Ballinger for your event is available upon request. Adrian Ballinger generally travels from Tahoe City, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Conrad Anker, Robyn Benincasa, Emily Harrington, Tommy Caldwell and Jim Davidson. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Adrian Ballinger for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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