ACES' Potbelly Perspectives: Shishapangma- The First American Ski descent from an 8,000-Meter Peak

Join ACES and the Pitkin County Library for adventure stories from members of our community and be inspired for your next adventure.

This week's discussion: Shishapangma, the first American ski descent from an 8,000-meter peak with Mike Marolt.

Mike Marolt is a fifth-generation Aspenite, and along with his brother Steve, was inducted into the USA Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame in 2017.

In May 2000, a small team of Aspen locals and adventurers set out to climb and ski one of the world's highest peaks. Shishapangma Skiing The Highline is a book and movie about the account of the first American ski descent from an 8,000-meter peak. Mike Marolt along with his identical twin brother and their lifelong friend Jim Gile grew up in Aspen and started with climbing and skiing the Elk Range as youngsters before they slowly progressed their experience and skills to take their passion into the greater ranges of the world to attempt what even they were not certain they could accomplish. Adhering to an old-school style shunning supplemental oxygen, Sherpa porters, and altitude drugs, the trio set their sites on 26,335 foot Shishapangma in Tibet to "ski from as high as we can" and in the process realized only when standing on the central summit and clicking into their skis that they had what it takes. Mike will present a film produced by local John Wilcox and American Adventure Productions as well as present his latest book on the expedition.    

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