At age 35, Luis Benitez stands among the world's foremost high altitude mountaineers. He is a consultant and guide for Adventure Consultants Ltd., a highly respected New Zealand-based expedition and management consulting firm. Diagnosed with severe asthma as a baby, Luis spent his entire childhood in the protective isolation of his home and hospital. Incredibly, his exposure to thin air at high altitudes has helped Luis meet asthma’s persistent challenge.
sunrise in Russia!
Luis’ summits include:
• Asia: Mt. Everest (29,038 ft), Nepal/Tibet (six summits)
• South America: Mt. Aconcagua (22,840 ft), Argentina (ten summits)
• North America: Mt. Denali (20,320 ft), Alaska (two summits)
• Africa: Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,340 ft), Tanzania/Kenya (six summits)
• Europe: Mt. Elbrus (18,510 ft), Russia (eleven summits)
• Antarctica: Vinson Massif (16,067 ft), (four summits)
• He has reached the top of six of the famed "Seven Summits" a cumulative 39 times.
Luis and Sherpas on Luis' 6th summit of Mt. Everest, Spring 2006
Other accomplishments:
• Guided blind climber Erik Weihenmayer to his historic 2001 Everest summit, aiding the first and only blind person to reach the summit of Everest
• Conducted courses in mountaineering, rock climbing and avalanche training, as well as teaching skiing, ice climbing and kayaking for the Outward Bound Program
• Went on to establish similar programs in Ecuador, Chile, and South Africa for Outward Bound
