Crossing the Bottleneck Serac on K2 We have the latest Sports Cars Test Drive Now Zero Gravity Space Training at Kennedy Space Center With the Right Car Buckle up Now Photos By: Walter Lowe At the top of Mount
Everest in Nepal Cars for every Budget Start the Experience Khumbu Icefall, Everest Nepal Geographic South Pole at 90 degrees Fully Customizable Extras Take a Look Challenger Deep 10,925 meters Photo By: Enrique Alvarez Take a Look K2 Summit With the Right Car Buckle up Now Nearing the summit of
Shishapangma in Tibet With the Right Car Buckle up Now With Steve Edwards on Good Day LA With the Right Car Buckle up Now On the Tyrolean Traverse leading up
to the summit of Carstensz Pyramid With the Right Car Buckle up Now Stylized for CBK, Photos by Icarus Blake With the Right Car Buckle up Now Climbing K2’s Abruzzi Spur, Pakistan With the Right Car Buckle up Now With the Right Car The Boston Marathon 2017
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Vanessa O’Brien, record-setting American-British explorer, takes you on a transformative journey to the top of the world’s highest mountains in this riveting and uplifting memoir, To The Greatest Heights.

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Photo by Alex Buisse

Meet Vanessa

Mountaineer, Explorer, Author

Vanessa O’Brien is the First Woman to Reach Earth’s Highest and Lowest Points, a Guinness World Record for summiting Mt. Everest (8,848m) in 2012 and diving in a submersible to the eastern pool of Challenger Deep (10,925m) in 2020.

Vanessa became the first American woman to summit K2 and the first British woman to successfully summit K2 (as a result of her dual nationality) on 28 July 2017, and received the SES Explorer of the Year in 2018 for her efforts. Vanessa proudly raised the UN Women’s Flag at the summit of K2 to show the power of women’s courage and determination.

Vanessa received a Guinness World Record for summiting the Seven Summits in 295 days, the fastest time a woman first achieved this goal.  She has also skied the Last Degree to the North and South poles, completing the Explorers Grand Slam in 11 months.

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For Women Breaking Boundaries

As we close 2020, a year defined by “firsts” – some that have disrupted our way of life and tested us – we celebrate the many firsts that have challenged the establishment, inspired us, and propelled us forward towards a more equitable future.

On June 12, 2020, Vanessa O’Brien became the first woman to reach Earth’s highest and lowest points.

Announcement

Recently Released

To The Greatest Heights

“O’Brien pens a thrilling debut memoir about her mountain-climbing adventures and what they’ve taught her about life. Readers feel as if they’re on the mountain with her through her vivid descriptions and detail. [All] readers—especially mountaineering types—will devour O’Brien’s sensational, electrifying tale.”

– Publisher’s Weekly (full review)

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Release Date: March 2021

Vanessa O’Brien, FRGS

 
 
More on Vanessa
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Vanessa O’Brien is a mountaineer, explorer and author.

  • Author, To the Greatest Heights, Simon & Schuster (USA) and Quercus (UK) worldwide except Poland (Burda International) and Russia (AST).

  • Five Guinness World Records – First, Fastest, Deepest, Farthest, Oldest:

    1. First Woman to Reach Earth’s Highest (Mt. Everest) and Deepest Points (Challenger Deep).
    2. Fastest Woman to climb the Seven Summits (295 days).
    3. First Person to reach the Farthest (Chimborazo) and Nearest to Earth’s core (Challenger Deep).
    4. First Woman to complete the Four Poles Challenge: Mt. Everest, Challenger Deep, and skiing the Last Degree to both the North and South Poles.
    5. Summited K2, second tallest peak at 8,611m at, 52 years old.

  • Brand Ambassador in Print Ads, Commercial Films and during Expeditions:

    1. Aviva (2021) – Decision School – trusting your instincts, dealing with procrastination and following your head or your heart.
    2. Omega (2020) – 60th Anniversary of the first dive to Challenger Deep and a first for women.
    3. Diageo (2020) – Jane Walker/Be First, Keep Walking – proving women can rise to the challenge.
    4. First Republic Bank (2018) – Creative options and solutions to challenges that come from living abroad and traveling.
    5. UN Women (2017) – Proving women can rise to the challenge on K2.
    6. Charles Schwab (2016) – Why This Road #Own Your Tomorrow – challenging yourself to ensure you are on the right path.

  • Three Honors – Recognized by New York State Assembly (2021), Fearless Girl Award (2019), and Scientific and Exploration (SES) Explorer of the Year (2018).

  • First American woman or first British woman to summit K2 at 8,611m in 2017. Vanessa raised the UN Women’s Flag at the summit of K2 to show women’s courage and determination.

  • First woman to set a speed record to complete the Explorers Grand Slam (Seven Summits plus skiing the last degree to the North and South Poles) in 11 months, and one of only eight women in the world.

  • Summited five of 14 eight-thousand meter peaks, including summiting two eight-thousand meter peaks back-to-back, eight days apart.

  • Goodwill Ambassador for Pakistan and Honorary Ambassador of the US Nepal Climbers Association.

  • Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society and an Honorary Advisory Board member of the Scientific Exploration Society (SES).

  • Completed the Boston Marathon, helping the American Red Cross raise over $512,000, and provided contract photography to Forbes Magazine covering various motorsports.

  • 200 mph at Indianapolis Motor Speedway riding with Mario Andretti and shot at point blank range by Miguel Caballero testing bulletproof vests with a .38 long revolver.

  • Promoted scientific research by testing hypoxic exposure, assessing high-altitude medicine, and sampling and photographing receding glaciers.

  • Registered speaker with the American Program Bureau to corporates, academics, not-for-profit, and the public sector.

  • Executive MBA from Stern School of Business, New York University and 20+ years of executive experience in global financial services.

Vanessa O’Brien is part of the National Women’s History Museum ‘s exhibit on women who searched for adventure in the great outdoors and became the first known American women to accomplish their particular achievements.

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Featured Videos

To The Greatest Heights Book Trailer

To The Greatest Heights Book Trailer featuring the song Fearless by Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, produced by Nils Krebs at NK Films, München. Learn more about To The Greatest Heights on the official book website.

Vanessa O’Brien – First British and American Woman to Conquer K2

Vanessa O’Brien, the first British and American woman to conquer K2, tells Voice of America her story. Video credit to The Voice of America.

Why This Road?  Sponsored by Vimeo & Charles Schwab

After years of working in finance, Vanessa began to question life, and came to the realization that it needed to change. From consumer accounts for many large banking firms, Vanessa began her new journey as a climber—first novice and now record holder. This film illustrates the pivotal moments that led to Vanessa’s evolution and ability to grasp a different kind of tomorrow.

Breathe: An Explorers Grand Slam Journey

Journey with me to the 7 Summits in 7 minutes. Join me as I become the fastest woman to complete the Explorers Grand Slam and ski the last degree to the North and South poles, in 11 months.

More Expedition Videos

“No-one can take away the knowledge, skills, and experience you acquire throughout your life. Your knowledge, skills, and experience inform your decisions as you move forward. So go ahead – take the biggest step you can“

– Vanessa O’Brien
(Banker to Mountaineer)

For Women Breaking Boundaries

As we close 2020, a year defined by “firsts” – some that have disrupted our way of life and tested us – we celebrate the many firsts that have challenged the establishment, inspired us, and propelled us forward towards a more equitable future.

On June 12, 2020, Vanessa O’Brien became the first woman to reach Earth’s highest and lowest points.

Photos Across the Globe

More Photos

Latest Media Appearances

Just back from Guam, Vanessa becomes the First Woman to Reach Earth’s Highest and Lowest Points. She tells SkyNews about it on June 19, 2020.

Vanessa O’Brien becomes the First Woman to Reach Earth’s Highest and Lowest Points. She tells BBCNews about it on June 21 2020.

More Media Appearances

What others say about Vanessa O’Brien

“Vanessa is a dynamic story teller, putting you right on the mountain with her. She effectively related how key business concepts like teamwork, adaptability and leadership are skills that apply to just about any scenario – even navigating in high altitudes and deep crevasses. She had our group focused and engaged until the very end.”

“Using the metaphor of climbing, Vanessa took us on a tour of some of the most challenging and remote places on the planet. She illustrated how preparation, teamwork, staying focused to avoid risks, and applying a success-oriented mindset differentiate the winners from the losers – not just on the mountain but in business and in life.”

“Vanessa’s recent visit to Cape Henry Collegiate was nothing short of remarkable. Her presence and style engaged students while her story and message inspired them. The time she spent with our community before and after her presentation provided all with an opportunity to ask questions, and learn about the life lessons of risk taking, decision making, and goal setting.”

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