Laurie Skreslet

Laurie Skreslet was born on October 25, 1949, and raised in Calgary, Alberta. He left home at 16, and two years later, in 1970, he began mountain climbing. Within a short period, Skreslet participated in a successful expedition to Peru’s highest mountain, Huascaran. He developed expertise in various climbing disciplines, including rock climbing, ice climbing, high-altitude mountaineering, and Alpine climbing. This led him to become an instructor at the Colorado and Canadian Outward Bound Mountain Schools.

On October 5, 1982, Laurie Skreslet became the first Canadian to reach the summit of Mount Everest via the southeast col route. This achievement was part of the 1982 Canadian Mount Everest Expedition, a significant undertaking that required five years of planning, $3 million in financing, and 27 tons of equipment. The expedition faced challenges, including the loss of four climbers. Following his historic ascent, Skreslet authored the bestselling book “To the Top of Everest,” which was nominated for two awards: the “Children’s Choice” Award and the “Canadian Book of the Year for Children” Award. His career in mountaineering spans over three decades, with extensive experience in the North American Rockies, South American Andes, and Asian Himalayas.

Skreslet’s mountaineering career includes over 30 world-class expeditions, and he has led more than 20 guided trips to climb Aconcagua, one of the Seven Summits and the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere. He is a Certified ACMG Guide (Association of Canadian Mountain Guides) and continues to operate Business Leadership and Challenge Courses in the Canadian Rockies. Beyond his climbing achievements, Skreslet applies the lessons from his expeditions to motivational speaking, sharing insights on teamwork, personal commitment, and overcoming challenges with over 2000 organizations and more than 500,000 individuals.