Mountaineer
What MH gear are you wearing now?
My black MHW logo tee.
What is your favorite pre-outing "pump-up" music?
Land ‘Downunder’
What are you listening to on your iPod right now?
Eagles
What’s your favorite meal in the outdoors?
Vitawheats (Australian crackers) with hot salami and cheese.
What meal do you look forward to when you get home?
After 2 or 3 months of dahl bhat in the Himalaya, it has to be a brontosaurus sized steak, fresh salad and fresh bread.
Best Halloween Costume?
Halloween?
Is there one thing you always take with you during your adventures?
My coffee plunger. Even the mountains look better after a good Lavazza!
How did you first get started with climbing? How old were you?
I was about 24 when I saw a slide show of the first Australian ascent of Mt Everest. I decided there and then to climb it, so I learned to rock climb, alpine climb and then travelled the world until I was ready for an 8000er. Everest was my 7th 8000er so I just decided to keep on climbing them.
Who/What is your inspiration?
The raw beauty of the mountains themselves and the incredible journey of self discovery that they continue to offer on every expedition.
Favorite Quote?
“If you can’t plan your expedition on the back of a postcard, you shouldn’t be going. Shipton or Tillman said that.” (I can’t remember who.)
Career Highlights
K2 in 1993 as my first 8000m summit.
Everest in 2000 and 2004
Annapurna in 2007 – it was a beast!
My solo ascents and …. Oh, all of them actually. They were all fantastic expeditions!
Bio:
Andrew Lock is Australia's most accomplished high altitude mountaineer and widely recognised as one of Australia's most competent Mountain Climbing and Remote Area trekking guides. His expertise as an international expedition leader and logistician to destinations around the world is highly sought after, with a resume that includes leading successful expeditions to Heard Island, Central Asia, South America, Mt Everest's summit and remote areas of nearly every continent on earth.
As the most accomplished high altitude mountaineer in Australian history, his achievements encompass 16 summits of 8000 metre peaks, including Mt Everest (twice) and eleven other of the world's fourteen 8000 metre peaks, more than twice that of any other Australian, placing him in a select group of the world's best alpinists. Additionally, Andrew accomplished the first Australian ascent of 5 of those mountains, a record that can never be broken. His continuing mountaineering successes include:
- The only Australian to climb twelve of the world's fourteen 8000 metre peaks, including Mt Everest (twice), K2 and Annapurna.
- The first Australian to lead a commercial expedition to the summit of Mount Everest.
- The first Australian ascent of five of the world's 8000 metre peaks
- Solo ascents of four 8000 metre peaks: Broad Peak, Lhotse, Shishapangma Central and Cho Oyu
- The only Australian to climb two 8000 metre peaks in one year (he has done this four times, twice climbing two peaks in a single expedition!)
- Ascents of the highest mountains in the western and southern hemispheres
Andrew has led, trained and guided members of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions on multiple expeditions to Antarctica and guided commercial groups across Antarctica and the sub Antarctic.
He holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Emergency Management) with Distinction, is the recipient of the Australian National Medal and is a professional keynote speaker. www.andrew-lock.com