Adventurer Advocate Climber
About
Growing up on a farm, outside of Seattle, Washington, Andrew’s early years were filled with adventures in the outdoors and being connected to nature. As he grew, he found his career path took him in many directions such as law and politics, fields he thought would be fulfilling. However, over time Andrew came to realize this path toward what society deemed as success, was in fact distancing him from his dreams.
Only after facing several unexpected hardships, where the life Andrew had constructed based on cultural ideas of success began to crumble, did he awake to find his own path. This path led to the mountains where Andrew relearned to turn discomfort and challenge into growth and gratitude.
Andrew continues to be about redefining one’s relationships with discomfort, altering one’s perspectives on achievement, honing one’s hold on humility, and unifying the fragmented aspects of oneself through this process to reach a sense of wholeness. Andrew realizes the peak of success is to seek beyond the summit, to see the entirety of the journey.
Fastest Known Times and Firsts
Andrew continues on a journey exploring the world and its’ highest mountains. He has completed the Seven Summits (highest mountains on each continent) and six of the Seven Volcanic Summits (highest volcanoes on each continent) and is set to complete the rarely realized Explorers’ Grand Slam in April, 2023 after the 2022 season was canceled due to the war in Ukraine – a feat fewer than 75 adventurers have ever achieved.
In 2020, Andrew also became the fastest and first American man and third person ever to complete the Antarctica Trifecta with his climbing partner Roxanne Vogel by consecutively Skiing the Last Degree to the South Pole and reaching the summits of Mount Vinson (the highest mountain) and Mount Sidley (the highest volcano) in Antarctica. Andrew also holds a Guinness World Record set on Mt Everest in Spring, 2021.
Upcoming adventurers in the works include climbing of the 8th highest mountain in North America in May, 2022, the climbing Mt Kenya – the second highest mountain in Africa – in Summer, 2023, ice climbing in Canada, and multiple Guinness World Record attempts with more details to be announced in the coming months.
more than the mountains
Andrew’s expeditions have become focused on something that matter more than summits – that being making meaningful impacts in the world. Fueled by his commitment to sustainability, conservationism and combatting climate change, Andrew continues to raise awareness and funds for Human Rights Watch’s work on the Environment and Human Rights.
Aligning and advocating for greater inclusivity and diversity in the outdoors is fundamental to Andrew’s view of the outdoors. Additionally, breaking down social and economic barriers to provide greater access to our natural spaces and places is part of his perpetual purpose beyond the peaks.
Joining with organizations and companies that are looking to create a more sustainable world and a more inclusive one are a part of the greatest climb of Andrew’s life – reaching the shared summit of a better and more equitable world for all.
Get in touch for chances to join the journey!
“There exists an explorer within us all. Anyone who is willing to seek out the unknown and new knowledge, explore the depths of one’s own life, and push the perceived limitations we place on ourselves is an explorer of “self” taking part in the greatest expedition of all…the living of one’s life.”
– Andrew Hughes