Burch gets world record for 31 first ascents in the Himalayan Mountains
November 10, 2016
Adventurer Sean Burch ‘92 has achieved his eighth world record by completing 31 first ascents of previously unclimbed Himalayan mountains in the Humla District in western Nepal. Burch began his trek October 10 in Khaskarkado, Nepal and he completed the expedition in 21 days.
The motivation behind Burch's quest for an eighth world record is to create a documentary in association with the Nepal Trust organization to raise public awareness of the pressing healthcare and global warming concerns that locals face.
Burch's quest for this record was not without great difficulty. On October 28, Burch reported he had reached summits 13 and 14, but nearly dying at 16,000 feet when hypothermia set in. On Facebook, he detailed this experience, saying "Hypothermia, energy collapse, no food, sub-freezing, altitude of near 16,000ft, high winds sweeping thru the valley, and after climbing for over 14-16 hours. I think, no I know...the will to survive and not die that way was immense. When I finally got back to my tent some 3 hours West of where it was supposed to be the next day, I ate, drank and slept."
Announcing the completion of the expedition on social media, Burch said he "could not be more excited & relieved."
On his Facebook page, Burch shares a video taken from one of the summits, showing what he says is a view that no other humans had seen until now.
Burch will meet with some of the international media on Friday, Nov. 11 to discuss his expedition.
Burch spent two years on expedition development and research and made the expedition with the support of First Solo Ascents (FSA).