In May of this year, this group of climbers made history as the first all Black team to summit the highest mountain on earth.
The Full Circle Everest Team represents a zenith in generational perseverance, tenacity and strength. Their historic expedition has inspired many people around the world and will continue to be a guiding light for the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts, educators, leaders, and mountaineers of color to continue chasing their personal summits.
SPEAKERS:
Phil Henderson, Expedition Leader
A native of California, Philip has worked in the outdoor industry for almost three decades. His passion for outdoor recreation, education and climbing has provided him with opportunities to travel and climb around the world. He has been on several major expeditions including Everest, Denali, Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya. As an educator he has assisted in training guides, rangers and porters on several expeditions. In 2012 Philip was a member and team leader of the North Face/National Geographic Everest Education Expedition, became one of few African Americans to summit Denali in 2013 and led an all African American ascent of Mt Kilimanjaro in 2018. He is the recipient of the Outdoor Afro 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award.
As a Midwestern kid, Eddie dreamed of mountains. From an early passion for snowboarding and trips out west, the seed was planted. For much of his life, his attention was on team sports and competition. He competed in the decathlon as part of the University of Colorado track and field team. Upon graduating his focus shifted. Athletic ambitions turned to goals in the mountains. From skiing Denali to climbing El Capitan in a day, shared experiences and community building is what drives his outdoor passion. Climbing ice or rock, or peak bagging on skis or foot, he enjoys climbing in all forms, but he finds himself most excited by moving efficiently on long rock routes.