National Geographic writer Mark Jenkins lectures at CWC

Author, adventurer and University of Wyoming writer-in-residence Mark Jenkins discusses his 2012 ascent on Mount Everest at Central Wyoming College Wednesday, March 6.
 
Jenkins, who has twice shared his daring exploits with audiences at CWC, speaks at 5 p.m. in the Little Theatre, located in CWC’s Student Center. He was one of six members of a National Geographic/North Face expedition who summited the world’s tallest peak despite unrelenting winds, and a dangerous throng of climbers on the mountain which led to the death of four climbers.
 
A field staff writer with National Geographic, Jenkins, 53, first tried to summit Everest in 1986 while he was pursuing a master’s degree in psychology at UW. He did not reach the summit but collected snow samples at the high elevations for research into acid snow.
 
Reaching the top was the most visible part of the spring expedition in 2012. Team members also examined scientific questions about Everest geology and human health as partners with Montana State University and the Mayo Clinic.
 
Jenkins has spent decades climbing tall peaks as well as traveling by foot or bicycle across remote and dangerous regions all over the world, including a clandestine trip across Tibet and Burma. He’s kayaked around Turkey’s Gallipoli peninsula and spent tine canyoneering in Australia.  He has written three critically acclaimed books and is also a columnist for Outside magazine.
 
His third visit to CWC is sponsored by the CWC International Studies program and the University of Wyoming.