Onstage company
Documented collaborators
Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner is a pioneering mountaineer and compelling public speaker known for conquering the world’s highest peaks without supplemental oxygen or high-altitude porters. In 2011, she became the first woman to complete all 14 eight-thousanders, including a historic ascent of K2 on August 23, 2011. Recognized as a National Geographic Explorer of the Year (2012), Kaltenbrunner brings a powerful story of resilience, preparation, and leadership to stages around the world. This page provides a concise biography, highlights from her climbing career, and details on her upcoming speaking tour across the United States.