Contact us 1.800.698.2536
Search by Speaker Name or Topic
Ed Viesturs

Ed Viesturs

Speaker RatingSpeaker RatingSpeaker RatingSpeaker RatingSpeaker Rating
5 out of 5
1 review

Mountaineer, Known as One Of the U.S.'s Foremost High-Altitude Climbers

Travels From Travels From:
Ketchum, ID, USA
Speaking Fee Speaking Fee:
Live Event: $10,000 - $20,000
Virtual Event: $5,000 - $10,000
More Fee Info
Categories Categories:
Categories Categories:
Adventure, Athlete, Climbing, Ethics & Integrity, Health, Human Resources, Inspirational, Leadership, Motivational, Overcoming Adversity, Peak Performance, Sports, Storytelling, Success, Teamwork & Teambuilding
REQUEST BOOKING INFORMATION

Ed Viesturs Biography

Ed Viesturs made a career is a professional mountaineer. He originally thought to work as a veterinarian, but after earning his degree in Veterinary Medicine his desire to climb full time changed the course of his life. Viesturs’ eventual goal was to climb all of all of the world’s fourteen 8000-meter peaks without supplemental oxygen. This was a project that he christened Endeavor 8000. His goal, which eventually took 18 years to completed, ended on May 12, 2005, with his ascent of Annapurna, one of the world’s most treacherous peaks. He is one of only a handful of climbers in history (and the only American) to accomplish this.

That same year Viesturs was awarded National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year. In 2002, he was awarded the historic Lowell Thomas Award by the Explorer’s Club for outstanding achievement in the field of mountaineering. In winning the award, he joined an elite group of climbers including Sir Edmund Hillary. In 1992 he was also awarded the American Alpine Club Sowles Awards for his participation in two rescues on K-2.

During his career, Viesturs has also made seven successful ascents of 29,028’ Mt. Everest, three of these without supplemental oxygen.

Viesturs still guides clients worldwide on climbing adventures, is an Ambassador for Rolex, and works as a design consultant for Boulder Colorado based outdoor clothing manufacturer Himali. Ed also serves as a spokesman and advocate for Big City Mountaineers (BCM), an organization that instills critical life skills in under-resourced youth through wilderness mentoring experiences that help keep kids in school, reduce violence and drug use.

Viesturs resides in Ketchum Idaho with his wife Paula of 26 years, and their four children.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Ed Viesturs and other top speakers and celebrities.

BOOK Ed Viesturs

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 06/16/2025.

Ed Viesturs Speaking Topics

  • Key points:

    1. “Getting to the summit is optional, getting down is mandatory.” Climbing a mountain has to be a round trip. You need to plan ahead and have resources to make sure you finish what you set out to do.

    2. “Listen to your instincts.” Make decisions based on your experience and gut feelings. Don’t get caught up in group think.

    3. “Temper your ambition in the face of overwhelming risk.” Be patient enough to wait for the right time to move forward, even if others are going ahead.

    4. “Patience and persistence are keys to success but I believe that passion is the most critical ingredient.” If you are passionate with what you do, you’ll perform better, enjoy the process and be willing to take as long as it takes to succeed.

    5. “Teamwork, regardless of the industry, is the same: It is an implicit trust in, and recognition that the person next to you is No. 1”.

  • The Will to Climb

    In his signature presentation, Viesturs shares highlights from his life as a mountaineer, and recounts attempts to summit Annapurna, the “world’s deadliest peak” and the one that defied Viesturs the longest.

  • No Shortcuts to the Top: Managing and Mitigating Risk Through Perseverance, Dedication, and Teamwork

    Using dramatic slides and video, Viesturs recounts his 18-year quest to conquer the 14 highest mountains in the world, drawing from the experiences relevant strategies for managing risk, motivating a team, and staying focused on core values in the business world.

Ed Viesturs Videos

  • The Summit: Ed Viesturs Keynote
    The Summit: Ed Viesturs Keynote
    On October 21st we were joined by world-renowned climber, Ed Viesturs. Ed has summited Everest seven times and climbed all 14 peaks above 8,000...
  • Ed Viesturs: No Shortcuts to the Top
    Ed Viesturs: No Shortcuts to the Top
    Ed Viesturs, world-class mountaineer and author of several best-sellers, gives an inspirational keynote speech to kick off the Energy Exemplar's 2019...
  • Listen to the mountain | Ed Viesturs | TEDxRainier
    Listen to the mountain | Ed Viesturs | TEDxRainier
    This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. World class climber Ed Viesturs shares his extraordinary...
See All Videos »

Ed Viesturs Books

  • The Mountain: My Time on Everest
    The Mountain: My Time on Everest
  • The Will to Climb: Obsession and Commitment and the Quest to Climb Annapurna--the World's Deadliest Peak
    The Will to Climb: Obsession and Commitment and the Quest to Climb Annapurna--the World's Deadliest Peak
  • K2: Life and Death on the World's Most Dangerous Mountain
    K2: Life and Death on the World's Most Dangerous Mountain
  • No Shortcuts to the Top: Climbing the World's 14 Highest Peaks
    No Shortcuts to the Top: Climbing the World's 14 Highest Peaks

Speaker Lists Featuring Ed Viesturs

Browse All Keynote Speaker Lists »

FAQs on booking Ed Viesturs

  • How do I book Ed Viesturs to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Ed Viesturs for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Ed Viesturs, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Ed Viesturs or any other speaker of your choice.

  • What are the speaker fees for Ed Viesturs

    Speaking fees for Ed Viesturs, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Ed Viesturs are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Ed Viesturs, 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 Ed Viesturs speak about?

    Ed Viesturs is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Adventure, Athlete, Climbing, Ethics & Integrity, Health, Human Resources, Inspirational, Leadership, Motivational, Overcoming Adversity, Peak Performance, Sports, Storytelling, Success, Teamwork & Teambuilding.

  • Where does Ed Viesturs travel from?

    Ed Viesturs generally travels from Ketchum, ID, 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.

  • Who is Ed Viesturs’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Ed Viesturs for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Ed Viesturs for your next private or corporate function.

  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Ed Viesturs or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Ed Viesturs is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Key points:, The Will to Climb and No Shortcuts to the Top: Managing and Mitigating Risk Through Perseverance, Dedication, and Teamwork. The estimated speaking fee range to book Ed Viesturs for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Ed Viesturs generally travels from Ketchum, ID, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Jim Davidson, Vince Papale, Rudy Ruettiger, Eric Boles and Rocky Bleier. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Ed Viesturs for an upcoming live or virtual event.

BOOK Ed Viesturs

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.

  • Customized Service

    Our agents find the right fit for your event

  • Unparalleled Database

    Full access to all speakers & celebrities

  • One Stop Shopping

    A reliable and unbiased point of contact

  • Logistics Management

    Your personal Logistics Manager who takes care of all event details

Need Quick Answers?

We are happy to help! Call us to speak with a booking agent about your event or specific speaker request.

Sarah Miller
phone   1.800.698.2536
Our celebrity booking agents can:

  • Gauge interest and check availability for speaking engagements, appearances or corporate events

  • Provide you with the speaking fee to book Ed Viesturs or other celebrity appearance fees

  • Give you personal recommendations for the best keynote speakers or celebrities

  • Assist you with any questions you have throughout the talent booking process

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

TOP