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Mountain Climbing
Steve Gardiner, left, and Joe Sears pause before the final section of the summit ridge on the first ascent of Star Spangled Banner Peak in North Peary Land, Greenland. "The struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy." Albert Camus


Mountain climbing has been an important part of Steve Gardiner’s life since 1977. He has climbed on five continents and made first ascents in Wyoming, Montana, Alaska and Greenland. His major ascents include:

  • Over 100 ascents of Devils Tower National Monument in northeastern Wyoming, including 15 first ascents. He is co-author of the climber’s guidebook.
  • 50 For Tibet project to raise money for the Rowell Fund for Tibet. Team Highpoint will reach the highpoint in all 50 states. Gardiner has accompanied the team to highpoints in Maine, New Hampshire, California, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, Arizona, New Mexico, Idaho and many others.
  • Numerous ascents in Grand Teton National Park, including ascents of Grand Teton, Middle Teton, South Teton, Teewinot, Mt. Owen, Symmetry Spire and others.
  • Seventeen first ascents of mountains and four first crossings of major glaciers in North Peary Land, Greenland on expeditions in 1996 and 2001. These expeditions are recounted in the book Under The Midnight Sun.
  • Ascents of eight peaks between 17,000 feet and 20,000 feet in Bolivia including Alpamayo Chico, Condoriri, and Hyana Potosi.
  • Summited Mt. Aconcagua in Argentina. At 22,840 feet, Aconcagua is the highest peak in South America and in the Western Hemisphere.
  • Reached 25,500 feet on the North Ridge of Mt. Everest as part of the Wyoming Centennial Everest Expedition.
  • First ascents of five peaks above the Harding Icefield in Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska.
  • Summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, 19,340 feet, the roof of Africa.
  • Climbed El Pico de Orizaba, 18,800 feet, the highest peak in Mexico.
  • Two ascents of Mt. Rainier, 14,410 feet, the highest peak in Washington.
  • Ascents of 15 of the 14,000 foot peaks in Colorado.
  • Climbed ten peaks in the Alps along the Swiss-Italian border.
  • Two ascents of Granite Peak, the highest peak in Montana.
  • Climbed Gannett Peak, the highest peak in Wyoming.
  • Three ascents of Cloud Peak in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming.



Contact: Steve Gardiner at steve@readandrun.com