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.
Recent News
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.
Coming Up
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)
Release Date: March 2021