An American high-altitude mountaineer and cinematographer, born on June 22, 1959, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA. He obtained his BS in zoology in 1981 from the University of Washington and later received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Washington State University. He is the only American to have climbed all 14 of the world's 8,000 highest summits. Soon after the Mount Everest catastrophe of 1996, he took part in the IMAX filming of Everest, which went on to become the highest grossing documentary at the time. He is known for Vertical Limit (2000), Frontline (1983), and Messner (2002). He received the American Alpine Club's David A. Sowles Memorial Award in 1992. In addition, he received the Explorers Club Lowell Thomas Award in 2001. He was recognized as the year's top adventurer by National Geographic in 2005. He is married to Paula Viesturs.