I’m going to start before any adventures for the magazine before I was out in
for the magazine before I was out in
for the magazine before I was out in Antarctica before any of this happen I’m
Antarctica before any of this happen I’m
Antarctica before any of this happen I’m going to start by telling you how cool I
going to start by telling you how cool I
going to start by telling you how cool I was as a kid because honestly I was
was as a kid because honestly I was
was as a kid because honestly I was pretty cool the first hipster ever
pretty cool the first hipster ever
pretty cool the first hipster ever sideways trucker hat
sideways trucker hat
sideways trucker hat I was kicking OshKosh B’gosh popped
I was kicking OshKosh B’gosh popped
I was kicking OshKosh B’gosh popped collar the whole deal but really the
collar the whole deal but really the
collar the whole deal but really the point of this picture is to show you
point of this picture is to show you
point of this picture is to show you that from a very young age I was in
that from a very young age I was in
that from a very young age I was in campgrounds and my brother and I were in
campgrounds and my brother and I were in
campgrounds and my brother and I were in campgrounds and we were always raised to
campgrounds and we were always raised to
campgrounds and we were always raised to be in campgrounds as my parents would
be in campgrounds as my parents would
be in campgrounds as my parents would have it they wanted us to go out from
have it they wanted us to go out from
have it they wanted us to go out from the tiniest stage and go out and
the tiniest stage and go out and
the tiniest stage and go out and experience the world and push our
experience the world and push our
experience the world and push our boundaries and try to understand what
boundaries and try to understand what
boundaries and try to understand what the world was around us and that was
the world was around us and that was
the world was around us and that was very important in my family so they
very important in my family so they
very important in my family so they started a skiing when we were two
started a skiing when we were two
started a skiing when we were two climbing when we were five in the whole
climbing when we were five in the whole
climbing when we were five in the whole point was to sort of define our own
point was to sort of define our own
point was to sort of define our own borders
borders
borders this was me in the Wind River Range
this was me in the Wind River Range
this was me in the Wind River Range close to where I live now in Bozeman
close to where I live now in Bozeman
close to where I live now in Bozeman Montana at about I guess I’m 11 12 years
Montana at about I guess I’m 11 12 years
Montana at about I guess I’m 11 12 years old
old
old you know this is when questioning
you know this is when questioning
you know this is when questioning boundaries started to take a different
boundaries started to take a different
boundaries started to take a different turn I was a smart kid I went to high
turn I was a smart kid I went to high
turn I was a smart kid I went to high school two years early and you know
school two years early and you know
school two years early and you know exploring boundaries took on a
exploring boundaries took on a
exploring boundaries took on a completely different texture at that
completely different texture at that
completely different texture at that point and what I mean by that as I
point and what I mean by that as I
point and what I mean by that as I started exploring social boundaries
started exploring social boundaries
started exploring social boundaries rather than physical ones and when
rather than physical ones and when
rather than physical ones and when you’re 12 years old in high school and
you’re 12 years old in high school and
you’re 12 years old in high school and you’re hanging out with 18 year old kids
you’re hanging out with 18 year old kids
you’re hanging out with 18 year old kids you don’t have that’s six years of
you don’t have that’s six years of
you don’t have that’s six years of experience to prepare you for that and
experience to prepare you for that and
experience to prepare you for that and so honestly by the time I was 14 years
so honestly by the time I was 14 years
so honestly by the time I was 14 years old I was completely dropped out of high
old I was completely dropped out of high
old I was completely dropped out of high school my parents sent me to rehab I ran
school my parents sent me to rehab I ran
school my parents sent me to rehab I ran away three times and on the third time
away three times and on the third time
away three times and on the third time as they say the third time is the charm
as they say the third time is the charm
as they say the third time is the charm my parents gave up and it’s not that
my parents gave up and it’s not that
my parents gave up and it’s not that they they wanted to give up or or I
they they wanted to give up or or I
they they wanted to give up or or I blame them for that but they said quite
blame them for that but they said quite
blame them for that but they said quite honestly Cory we’re scared of you we we
honestly Cory we’re scared of you we we
honestly Cory we’re scared of you we we don’t know what to do and if you can’t
don’t know what to do and if you can’t
don’t know what to do and if you can’t abide by our rules
abide by our rules
abide by our rules then you can’t live at home so I was 14
then you can’t live at home so I was 14
then you can’t live at home so I was 14 and homeless I look back on the
and homeless I look back on the
and homeless I look back on the privilege of Education and I shudder to
privilege of Education and I shudder to
privilege of Education and I shudder to think what I was thinking but that was a
think what I was thinking but that was a
think what I was thinking but that was a decision I made but that time period led
decision I made but that time period led
decision I made but that time period led me to observe the world from a very
me to observe the world from a very
me to observe the world from a very curious place when I’m on the streets
curious place when I’m on the streets
curious place when I’m on the streets which was rare because oftentimes my
which was rare because oftentimes my
which was rare because oftentimes my friends helped me and I wasn’t actually
friends helped me and I wasn’t actually
friends helped me and I wasn’t actually sleeping on the streets too much but
sleeping on the streets too much but
sleeping on the streets too much but sometimes I was and when I would see
sometimes I was and when I would see
sometimes I was and when I would see people picking out of garbage cans it
people picking out of garbage cans it
people picking out of garbage cans it took on a different tone to me when I
took on a different tone to me when I
took on a different tone to me when I myself would have to look for food it
myself would have to look for food it
myself would have to look for food it took on a different tone and what I mean
took on a different tone and what I mean
took on a different tone and what I mean by that is I started to see this as
by that is I started to see this as
by that is I started to see this as closer to our natural state that is the
closer to our natural state that is the
closer to our natural state that is the forager foraging and everybody in this
forager foraging and everybody in this
forager foraging and everybody in this room is actually much further removed in
room is actually much further removed in
room is actually much further removed in our evolved trajectory than we then we
our evolved trajectory than we then we
our evolved trajectory than we then we like to think that forager is far closer
like to think that forager is far closer
like to think that forager is far closer to the way we evolved and and it was
to the way we evolved and and it was
to the way we evolved and and it was that story that time seeing people
that story that time seeing people
that story that time seeing people struggle that actually got me excited
struggle that actually got me excited
struggle that actually got me excited about telling bigger stories and thank
about telling bigger stories and thank
about telling bigger stories and thank God for my parents because they did
God for my parents because they did
God for my parents because they did start me climbing so young that it had a
start me climbing so young that it had a
start me climbing so young that it had a gravitational or I guess an
gravitational or I guess an
gravitational or I guess an anti-gravitational pole back to it
anti-gravitational pole back to it
anti-gravitational pole back to it climbing was a thing that got me out of
climbing was a thing that got me out of
climbing was a thing that got me out of this because I came back I was driven to
this because I came back I was driven to
this because I came back I was driven to do something and oddly enough visually
do something and oddly enough visually
do something and oddly enough visually and in just in the very nature of it its
and in just in the very nature of it its
and in just in the very nature of it its allegorical to human struggle its it’s
allegorical to human struggle its it’s
allegorical to human struggle its it’s perfect for telling the story of what
perfect for telling the story of what
perfect for telling the story of what humans are capable of and how much we
humans are capable of and how much we
humans are capable of and how much we can overcome and not only that visually
can overcome and not only that visually
can overcome and not only that visually it’s just stunning and you can grab
it’s just stunning and you can grab
it’s just stunning and you can grab people and you can capture their
people and you can capture their
people and you can capture their imagination so my early career was all
imagination so my early career was all
imagination so my early career was all about this I would go out and I would
about this I would go out and I would
about this I would go out and I would take pictures with really crappy cameras
take pictures with really crappy cameras
take pictures with really crappy cameras and I would try to side to sell them to
and I would try to side to sell them to
and I would try to side to sell them to to companies and with that money I would
to companies and with that money I would
to companies and with that money I would go on other trips and I’d save it and
go on other trips and I’d save it and
go on other trips and I’d save it and I’d save more and I go on bigger trips
I’d save more and I go on bigger trips
I’d save more and I go on bigger trips and I’d sell to different companies and
and I’d sell to different companies and
and I’d sell to different companies and so that’s how my whole early career
so that’s how my whole early career
so that’s how my whole early career worked
worked
worked and for a while it was very sustaining
and for a while it was very sustaining
and for a while it was very sustaining and I loved it because you know I was I
and I loved it because you know I was I
and I loved it because you know I was I could say I was a professional
could say I was a professional
could say I was a professional photographer and people would really
photographer and people would really
photographer and people would really respect me and I was really proud of
respect me and I was really proud of
respect me and I was really proud of myself you know it’s kind of proving
myself you know it’s kind of proving
myself you know it’s kind of proving people wrong at this point I was proving
people wrong at this point I was proving
people wrong at this point I was proving everybody that said I wasn’t going to
everybody that said I wasn’t going to
everybody that said I wasn’t going to amount to anything wrong I was saying no
amount to anything wrong I was saying no
amount to anything wrong I was saying no I’m going to amount to something and I
I’m going to amount to something and I
I’m going to amount to something and I think a lot of my early career was
think a lot of my early career was
think a lot of my early career was dedicated to that a lot of it was
dedicated to that a lot of it was
dedicated to that a lot of it was dedicated to making single images and I
dedicated to making single images and I
dedicated to making single images and I call these single stories right so a
call these single stories right so a
call these single stories right so a single story is is an image that you
single story is is an image that you
single story is is an image that you provide to a company that inspires you
provide to a company that inspires you
provide to a company that inspires you know some sort of inspiration that
know some sort of inspiration that
know some sort of inspiration that really inspires people to buy raincoats
really inspires people to buy raincoats
really inspires people to buy raincoats so I am a glorified raincoat salesman
so I am a glorified raincoat salesman
so I am a glorified raincoat salesman which is fine release it was it was okay
which is fine release it was it was okay
which is fine release it was it was okay with me early on but I started to see
with me early on but I started to see
with me early on but I started to see this divergence between these single
this divergence between these single
this divergence between these single image stories that I was hired to tell
image stories that I was hired to tell
image stories that I was hired to tell and the larger narrative that I was
and the larger narrative that I was
and the larger narrative that I was really engaged in the things that I
really engaged in the things that I
really engaged in the things that I really wanted to talk about which was
really wanted to talk about which was
really wanted to talk about which was not the heroic moment it was the
not the heroic moment it was the
not the heroic moment it was the absolute offset it was the antihero
absolute offset it was the antihero
absolute offset it was the antihero moment it was a thousand-yard stare it
moment it was a thousand-yard stare it
moment it was a thousand-yard stare it was it was my version of conflict
was it was my version of conflict
was it was my version of conflict photography in the outdoor space I
photography in the outdoor space I
photography in the outdoor space I wanted to talk about what it’s like what
wanted to talk about what it’s like what
wanted to talk about what it’s like what it’s like to hurt what it feels like and
it’s like to hurt what it feels like and
it’s like to hurt what it feels like and naturally as you travel you know for
naturally as you travel you know for
naturally as you travel you know for those of us who have had the great
those of us who have had the great
those of us who have had the great privilege of traveling the more you
privilege of traveling the more you
privilege of traveling the more you travel the more engaged you become you
travel the more engaged you become you
travel the more engaged you become you become engaged with culture and you
become engaged with culture and you
become engaged with culture and you start to grow a certain sense of
start to grow a certain sense of
start to grow a certain sense of compassion or at least I did this is a
compassion or at least I did this is a
compassion or at least I did this is a picture that I took a very very long
picture that I took a very very long
picture that I took a very very long time ago but I remember it distinctly
time ago but I remember it distinctly
time ago but I remember it distinctly because all of a sudden after looking at
because all of a sudden after looking at
because all of a sudden after looking at this image back in what offs coming out
this image back in what offs coming out
this image back in what offs coming out of the hills and Peru I remember looking
of the hills and Peru I remember looking
of the hills and Peru I remember looking at this
at this
at this and thinking oh climbing is kind of dumb
and thinking oh climbing is kind of dumb
and thinking oh climbing is kind of dumb and it’s true because it’s a very
and it’s true because it’s a very
and it’s true because it’s a very self-indulgent act and I realize I
self-indulgent act and I realize I
self-indulgent act and I realize I needed climbing a because it sustained
needed climbing a because it sustained
needed climbing a because it sustained me and B because it took me to these
me and B because it took me to these
me and B because it took me to these places but the most important thing was
places but the most important thing was
places but the most important thing was the thing that I had missed to that
the thing that I had missed to that
the thing that I had missed to that point I was so engaged in my own
point I was so engaged in my own
point I was so engaged in my own struggle on telling that story that I
struggle on telling that story that I
struggle on telling that story that I was missing everybody around me so
was missing everybody around me so
was missing everybody around me so culture became a very focal point in my
culture became a very focal point in my
culture became a very focal point in my early development but again I wasn’t I
early development but again I wasn’t I
early development but again I wasn’t I wasn’t a photographer of any note at
wasn’t a photographer of any note at
wasn’t a photographer of any note at this point nobody was going to hire me
this point nobody was going to hire me
this point nobody was going to hire me to go tell a cultural story I was always
to go tell a cultural story I was always
to go tell a cultural story I was always going to be hired to go tell the story
going to be hired to go tell the story
going to be hired to go tell the story of mountains that’s okay this is a
of mountains that’s okay this is a
of mountains that’s okay this is a picture of Mount Everest on the left the
picture of Mount Everest on the left the
picture of Mount Everest on the left the little one in the middle is load C in
little one in the middle is load C in
little one in the middle is load C in 2010 Conrad Anker one of our other
2010 Conrad Anker one of our other
2010 Conrad Anker one of our other explorers asked if I would go here and
explorers asked if I would go here and
explorers asked if I would go here and install time-lapse cameras on the Kumu
install time-lapse cameras on the Kumu
install time-lapse cameras on the Kumu glacier to monitor deflation and it was
glacier to monitor deflation and it was
glacier to monitor deflation and it was for jimbe logs movie chasing ice because
for jimbe logs movie chasing ice because
for jimbe logs movie chasing ice because we wanted to look at the package the
we wanted to look at the package the
we wanted to look at the package the impacts of climate change on the
impacts of climate change on the
impacts of climate change on the glaciers in the khumba region
glaciers in the khumba region
glaciers in the khumba region coincidentally you know Conrad could
coincidentally you know Conrad could
coincidentally you know Conrad could kind of sense this I mean Conrad’s been
kind of sense this I mean Conrad’s been
kind of sense this I mean Conrad’s been a climber for a long time and he could
a climber for a long time and he could
a climber for a long time and he could just see me looking up kind of like I
just see me looking up kind of like I
just see me looking up kind of like I mean the time-lapse cameras are cool but
mean the time-lapse cameras are cool but
mean the time-lapse cameras are cool but that’s really cool like you know I want
that’s really cool like you know I want
that’s really cool like you know I want to go there and so we actually finagled
to go there and so we actually finagled
to go there and so we actually finagled we call down to Katmandu and I got a
we call down to Katmandu and I got a
we call down to Katmandu and I got a permit to climb load C there was no way
permit to climb load C there was no way
permit to climb load C there was no way I was going to get a permit to climb
I was going to get a permit to climb
I was going to get a permit to climb Everest at this point it was too late
Everest at this point it was too late
Everest at this point it was too late but they they they got me a permit to
but they they they got me a permit to
but they they they got me a permit to climb low C and it was unlikely that I
climb low C and it was unlikely that I
climb low C and it was unlikely that I was going to do it there was no way
was going to do it there was no way
was going to do it there was no way because most people take about eight
because most people take about eight
because most people take about eight weeks and they go up and down and up and
weeks and they go up and down and up and
weeks and they go up and down and up and down to get acclimatized I had been
down to get acclimatized I had been
down to get acclimatized I had been there for three weeks I hadn’t been
there for three weeks I hadn’t been
there for three weeks I hadn’t been higher than base camp and you know I had
higher than base camp and you know I had
higher than base camp and you know I had six days tells the summer window so
six days tells the summer window so
six days tells the summer window so people were like well good luck have fun
people were like well good luck have fun
people were like well good luck have fun you know go up don’t
that’s a common theme in my life have
that’s a common theme in my life have fun don’t die but I ended up climbing it
fun don’t die but I ended up climbing it
fun don’t die but I ended up climbing it I ended up climbing it in six days so a
I ended up climbing it in six days so a
I ended up climbing it in six days so a total of you know three and a half weeks
total of you know three and a half weeks
total of you know three and a half weeks from my house to the top of the fourth
from my house to the top of the fourth
from my house to the top of the fourth highest mountain in the world and that
highest mountain in the world and that
highest mountain in the world and that got noticed it got noticed by a guy
got noticed it got noticed by a guy
got noticed it got noticed by a guy named Simone a mortal now Simone Emoto
named Simone a mortal now Simone Emoto
named Simone a mortal now Simone Emoto is an Italian climber he’s known for
is an Italian climber he’s known for
is an Italian climber he’s known for hard first winter offense and he called
hard first winter offense and he called
hard first winter offense and he called me after this climb and he said in this
me after this climb and he said in this
me after this climb and he said in this awesome voice I’m gonna do it again you
awesome voice I’m gonna do it again you
awesome voice I’m gonna do it again you guys ready
guys ready
guys ready he told ladies I’m not kidding he called
he told ladies I’m not kidding he called
he told ladies I’m not kidding he called lady she said corny do you want to go to
lady she said corny do you want to go to
lady she said corny do you want to go to Casa room two when did I meet in it and
Casa room two when did I meet in it and
Casa room two when did I meet in it and I said I don’t understand what you’re
I said I don’t understand what you’re
I said I don’t understand what you’re saying
saying
saying but I would love to go with you because
but I would love to go with you because
but I would love to go with you because you’re my hero where are we going castle
you’re my hero where are we going castle
you’re my hero where are we going castle from – I’m like okay that sounds great
from – I’m like okay that sounds great
from – I’m like okay that sounds great where’s that and he goes it’s in
where’s that and he goes it’s in
where’s that and he goes it’s in Pakistan and for those of you don’t know
Pakistan and for those of you don’t know
Pakistan and for those of you don’t know this there’s 14 8,000 meter peaks in the
this there’s 14 8,000 meter peaks in the
this there’s 14 8,000 meter peaks in the world so 14 Peaks that are above what
world so 14 Peaks that are above what
world so 14 Peaks that are above what roughly 26,000 feet and nine of them are
roughly 26,000 feet and nine of them are
roughly 26,000 feet and nine of them are in Tibet and Nepal and five of them are
in Tibet and Nepal and five of them are
in Tibet and Nepal and five of them are in Pakistan and the nine in Tibet Nepal
in Pakistan and the nine in Tibet Nepal
in Pakistan and the nine in Tibet Nepal have all been climbed or had at this
have all been climbed or had at this
have all been climbed or had at this point all been climbed in winter but
point all been climbed in winter but
point all been climbed in winter but none of the Pakistani 8,000 meter Peaks
none of the Pakistani 8,000 meter Peaks
none of the Pakistani 8,000 meter Peaks had ever been climbed in winter because
had ever been climbed in winter because
had ever been climbed in winter because they’re about 600 miles north the
they’re about 600 miles north the
they’re about 600 miles north the weather is much more severe and people
weather is much more severe and people
weather is much more severe and people would you know a lot of people at this
would you know a lot of people at this
would you know a lot of people at this point I think 16 expeditions over 26
point I think 16 expeditions over 26
point I think 16 expeditions over 26 years had a pet tried and failed but
years had a pet tried and failed but
years had a pet tried and failed but here’s the thing I jumped I left before
here’s the thing I jumped I left before
here’s the thing I jumped I left before thinking I didn’t even know any of that
thinking I didn’t even know any of that
thinking I didn’t even know any of that likewise I didn’t know that if I did
likewise I didn’t know that if I did
likewise I didn’t know that if I did this I would be the first American to
this I would be the first American to
this I would be the first American to climb any 8,000 meter peak in winter but
climb any 8,000 meter peak in winter but
climb any 8,000 meter peak in winter but of course I said yes and and all of a
of course I said yes and and all of a
of course I said yes and and all of a sudden I was here on the literal
sudden I was here on the literal
sudden I was here on the literal physical border of India and Pakistan so
physical border of India and Pakistan so
physical border of India and Pakistan so that’s something to pay attention to I
that’s something to pay attention to I
that’s something to pay attention to I remember taking this photo
remember taking this photo
remember taking this photo mostly because
mostly because
mostly because I saw it happening I knew the Sun was
I saw it happening I knew the Sun was
I saw it happening I knew the Sun was going to crest and I knew you know the
going to crest and I knew you know the
going to crest and I knew you know the we’re on our summit push here and I ran
we’re on our summit push here and I ran
we’re on our summit push here and I ran ahead in crampons that’s really hard
ahead in crampons that’s really hard
ahead in crampons that’s really hard it doesn’t look cool you’re like you
it doesn’t look cool you’re like you
it doesn’t look cool you’re like you know I ran and because I ran I was just
know I ran and because I ran I was just
know I ran and because I ran I was just so out of breath that I immediately
so out of breath that I immediately
so out of breath that I immediately vomited and then I grit my carrot I get
vomited and then I grit my carrot I get
vomited and then I grit my carrot I get my camera out I take my mittens off it’s
my camera out I take my mittens off it’s
my camera out I take my mittens off it’s – I think it’s actually – 50 and I like
– I think it’s actually – 50 and I like
– I think it’s actually – 50 and I like pull it up and I realize I can’t take it
pull it up and I realize I can’t take it
pull it up and I realize I can’t take it like I get frozen I can’t turn it off
like I get frozen I can’t turn it off
like I get frozen I can’t turn it off shutter priority which I can’t change
shutter priority which I can’t change
shutter priority which I can’t change the shutter speed I can’t do anything
the shutter speed I can’t do anything
the shutter speed I can’t do anything and it’s at a 50th of a second which for
and it’s at a 50th of a second which for
and it’s at a 50th of a second which for those of you who don’t know that’s very
those of you who don’t know that’s very
those of you who don’t know that’s very slow especially when you’re just vomited
slow especially when you’re just vomited
slow especially when you’re just vomited and you’re like trying to do this and I
and you’re like trying to do this and I
and you’re like trying to do this and I took this picture
took this picture
took this picture and and that was that was that I knew
and and that was that was that I knew
and and that was that was that I knew that moment was special because I also
that moment was special because I also
that moment was special because I also knew in that moment that we were very
knew in that moment that we were very
knew in that moment that we were very likely going to summit but the summit
likely going to summit but the summit
likely going to summit but the summit there was just the beginning like I said
there was just the beginning like I said
there was just the beginning like I said I didn’t know I’d be the first American
I didn’t know I’d be the first American
I didn’t know I’d be the first American I didn’t know any of that and to be fair
I didn’t know any of that and to be fair
I didn’t know any of that and to be fair had I known I don’t think it would have
had I known I don’t think it would have
had I known I don’t think it would have been good for me I was climbing out of
been good for me I was climbing out of
been good for me I was climbing out of pure joy and I loved it as we got to the
pure joy and I loved it as we got to the
pure joy and I loved it as we got to the summit a storm hit and on the way down
summit a storm hit and on the way down
summit a storm hit and on the way down we were hit by a massive avalanche six
we were hit by a massive avalanche six
we were hit by a massive avalanche six days out on to our summit bid one day
days out on to our summit bid one day
days out on to our summit bid one day but last day to base camp we were hit by
but last day to base camp we were hit by
but last day to base camp we were hit by an avalanche and I sent this picture to
an avalanche and I sent this picture to
an avalanche and I sent this picture to my mom when we got back and I said mom I
my mom when we got back and I said mom I
my mom when we got back and I said mom I just we made it we’re back safe and she
just we made it we’re back safe and she
just we made it we’re back safe and she goes ooh
goes ooh
goes ooh it’s a lovely portrait is that Dennis
it’s a lovely portrait is that Dennis
it’s a lovely portrait is that Dennis and I said that’s me mom she goes ooh
and I said that’s me mom she goes ooh
and I said that’s me mom she goes ooh like ooh that’s gross
like ooh that’s gross
like ooh that’s gross and I’m like yeah because I look like
and I’m like yeah because I look like
and I’m like yeah because I look like I’m like ninety you know it is gross um
I’m like ninety you know it is gross um
I’m like ninety you know it is gross um my face is all swollen do you guys know
my face is all swollen do you guys know
my face is all swollen do you guys know that more people have died this year
that more people have died this year
that more people have died this year from taking selfies than like shark
from taking selfies than like shark
from taking selfies than like shark attacks and lightning combined
attacks and lightning combined
attacks and lightning combined that’s bad news don’t do it but but do
that’s bad news don’t do it but but do
that’s bad news don’t do it but but do keep taking selfies because apparently
keep taking selfies because apparently
keep taking selfies because apparently you can get them on the cover of
you can get them on the cover of
you can get them on the cover of National Geographic that’s a thing but
National Geographic that’s a thing but
National Geographic that’s a thing but honestly to get serious for a second
honestly to get serious for a second
honestly to get serious for a second that that moment as much as the
that that moment as much as the
that that moment as much as the Avalanche was a defining moment in my
Avalanche was a defining moment in my
Avalanche was a defining moment in my career and this image became something
career and this image became something
career and this image became something it became much more than I had ever
it became much more than I had ever
it became much more than I had ever anticipated it represents something much
anticipated it represents something much
anticipated it represents something much deeper and I look at it now I look at
deeper and I look at it now I look at
deeper and I look at it now I look at the gesture I look at the facial
the gesture I look at the facial
the gesture I look at the facial expression and what I see is somebody
expression and what I see is somebody
expression and what I see is somebody who’s struggling to deal with a
who’s struggling to deal with a
who’s struggling to deal with a traumatic event a very very traumatic
traumatic event a very very traumatic
traumatic event a very very traumatic event what happens to the brain is when
event what happens to the brain is when
event what happens to the brain is when it thinks it’s going to die it prepares
it thinks it’s going to die it prepares
it thinks it’s going to die it prepares it quite literally prepares for death
it quite literally prepares for death
it quite literally prepares for death and so when people say you know my life
and so when people say you know my life
and so when people say you know my life flashed before my eyes that’s a very
flashed before my eyes that’s a very
flashed before my eyes that’s a very real thing it’s not the way you think of
real thing it’s not the way you think of
real thing it’s not the way you think of it it’s not like all these beautiful
it it’s not like all these beautiful
it it’s not like all these beautiful visions and maybe sometimes you’re like
visions and maybe sometimes you’re like
visions and maybe sometimes you’re like Cheerios parking tickets you know it’s
Cheerios parking tickets you know it’s
Cheerios parking tickets you know it’s all of it like compiled and but I see
all of it like compiled and but I see
all of it like compiled and but I see this now and what I see is is a person
this now and what I see is is a person
this now and what I see is is a person who is alive realizing they’re alive
who is alive realizing they’re alive
who is alive realizing they’re alive after their brain has prepared for death
after their brain has prepared for death
after their brain has prepared for death and what that manifests as in
and what that manifests as in
and what that manifests as in Psychological terms is PTSD that’s where
Psychological terms is PTSD that’s where
Psychological terms is PTSD that’s where it goes from there
it goes from there
it goes from there the experience is locked in your brain
the experience is locked in your brain
the experience is locked in your brain you your sympathetic nervous system
you your sympathetic nervous system
you your sympathetic nervous system kicks in and you are continually
kicks in and you are continually
kicks in and you are continually experiencing that moment from that point
experiencing that moment from that point
experiencing that moment from that point on
on
on so it’s spinning out and essentially
so it’s spinning out and essentially
so it’s spinning out and essentially that’s just a corrosive method for your
that’s just a corrosive method for your
that’s just a corrosive method for your brain and what you do is you try to find
brain and what you do is you try to find
brain and what you do is you try to find anything to calm that spinning down and
anything to calm that spinning down and
anything to calm that spinning down and swear all addiction stems from so I
swear all addiction stems from so I
swear all addiction stems from so I didn’t know it at the time but
didn’t know it at the time but
didn’t know it at the time but jeetu had given me the first American to
jeetu had given me the first American to
jeetu had given me the first American to do something and made thousand-meter
do something and made thousand-meter
do something and made thousand-meter pecan winter and PTSD it’s the gift that
pecan winter and PTSD it’s the gift that
pecan winter and PTSD it’s the gift that keeps on giving but we’ll get into that
keeps on giving but we’ll get into that
keeps on giving but we’ll get into that I went home and I got married I got
I went home and I got married I got
I went home and I got married I got married to a wonderful woman we had a
married to a wonderful woman we had a
married to a wonderful woman we had a wonderful group of friends we had
wonderful group of friends we had
wonderful group of friends we had incredibly supportive families we live
incredibly supportive families we live
incredibly supportive families we live an alternate we lived an alternate
an alternate we lived an alternate
an alternate we lived an alternate lifestyle that you know some parents
lifestyle that you know some parents
lifestyle that you know some parents would be a little
would be a little
would be a little by like okay you’re going to go climb
by like okay you’re going to go climb
by like okay you’re going to go climb mountains and you’re going to go climb
mountains and you’re going to go climb
mountains and you’re going to go climb rocks and we had very supportive family
rocks and we had very supportive family
rocks and we had very supportive family but the problem was that even right
but the problem was that even right
but the problem was that even right after my marriage I started to feel
after my marriage I started to feel
after my marriage I started to feel disassociated and I started to feel
disassociated and I started to feel
disassociated and I started to feel withdrawal and I started to feel
withdrawal and I started to feel
withdrawal and I started to feel confusion and darkness and I didn’t know
confusion and darkness and I didn’t know
confusion and darkness and I didn’t know what it was I felt like there was a
what it was I felt like there was a
what it was I felt like there was a weight pushing down on me like a literal
weight pushing down on me like a literal
weight pushing down on me like a literal weight I’d wake up in the morning and my
weight I’d wake up in the morning and my
weight I’d wake up in the morning and my brain was just going and it was like
brain was just going and it was like
brain was just going and it was like this very loud silence and it reminded
this very loud silence and it reminded
this very loud silence and it reminded me of a quote that I read a quote from a
me of a quote that I read a quote from a
me of a quote that I read a quote from a book it says they carried all that they
book it says they carried all that they
book it says they carried all that they could bear and then some including a
could bear and then some including a
could bear and then some including a silent awe for the terrible power of the
silent awe for the terrible power of the
silent awe for the terrible power of the things that they carried that’s by Tim
things that they carried that’s by Tim
things that they carried that’s by Tim O’Brien from the book the things they
O’Brien from the book the things they
O’Brien from the book the things they carry teach you didn’t just leave me
carry teach you didn’t just leave me
carry teach you didn’t just leave me with PTSD it gave me something else it
with PTSD it gave me something else it
with PTSD it gave me something else it gave me an opportunity to provide a
gave me an opportunity to provide a
gave me an opportunity to provide a storytelling example to National
storytelling example to National
storytelling example to National Geographic
Geographic
Geographic there was a soldiers or Pakistani
there was a soldiers or Pakistani
there was a soldiers or Pakistani military camp at base camp and because
military camp at base camp and because
military camp at base camp and because we were there in the winter they were
we were there in the winter they were
we were there in the winter they were very welcoming they opened up their
very welcoming they opened up their
very welcoming they opened up their doors to us they were sort of intrigued
doors to us they were sort of intrigued
doors to us they were sort of intrigued by us who are these three crazy guys
by us who are these three crazy guys
by us who are these three crazy guys climbing in winter because in the
climbing in winter because in the
climbing in winter because in the summertime you can’t go here it’s just
summertime you can’t go here it’s just
summertime you can’t go here it’s just off-limits because there’s too many
off-limits because there’s too many
off-limits because there’s too many people up on the glacier and and you
people up on the glacier and and you
people up on the glacier and and you know these guys are 18 to 24 years old I
know these guys are 18 to 24 years old I
know these guys are 18 to 24 years old I was so alarmed by what I had seen in
was so alarmed by what I had seen in
was so alarmed by what I had seen in western media and what was actually
western media and what was actually
western media and what was actually happening there so I took on the task of
happening there so I took on the task of
happening there so I took on the task of trying to communicate the story in very
trying to communicate the story in very
trying to communicate the story in very very brief terms because I wanted to
very brief terms because I wanted to
very brief terms because I wanted to come back and have something to show to
come back and have something to show to
come back and have something to show to say deke warrior who had asked she’s my
say deke warrior who had asked she’s my
say deke warrior who had asked she’s my photo editor here who would ask hey can
photo editor here who would ask hey can
photo editor here who would ask hey can you show me some storytelling examples
you show me some storytelling examples
you show me some storytelling examples it was a very unique opportunity
it was a very unique opportunity
it was a very unique opportunity extremely unique and to look back at
extremely unique and to look back at
extremely unique and to look back at these and see what I was trying to do I
these and see what I was trying to do I
these and see what I was trying to do I can understand it
can understand it
can understand it and I think you know some of them are
and I think you know some of them are
and I think you know some of them are okay but but oddly enough I just want to
okay but but oddly enough I just want to
okay but but oddly enough I just want to tell how we got here these guys would
tell how we got here these guys would
tell how we got here these guys would come over to our camp and they kind of
come over to our camp and they kind of
come over to our camp and they kind of peek in and you know it’s like looking
peek in and you know it’s like looking
peek in and you know it’s like looking like you know
like you know
like you know they were six-year-olds and then they’d
they were six-year-olds and then they’d
they were six-year-olds and then they’d have like kind of nervously walk in and
have like kind of nervously walk in and
have like kind of nervously walk in and we’d have tea with them and then finally
we’d have tea with them and then finally
we’d have tea with them and then finally the reason it all worked out the reason
the reason it all worked out the reason
the reason it all worked out the reason we became friends is because they asked
we became friends is because they asked
we became friends is because they asked hey Cory I know you guys have internet
hey Cory I know you guys have internet
hey Cory I know you guys have internet could I check my Facebook so now I have
could I check my Facebook so now I have
could I check my Facebook so now I have like a ton of friends named Farouk
like a ton of friends named Farouk
like a ton of friends named Farouk Mohamed and I’m on the TSA watchlist
Mohamed and I’m on the TSA watchlist
Mohamed and I’m on the TSA watchlist which is awesome I can’t get on a plane
which is awesome I can’t get on a plane
which is awesome I can’t get on a plane save my life but you know it was a real
save my life but you know it was a real
save my life but you know it was a real lesson in in in creating intimacy and
lesson in in in creating intimacy and
lesson in in in creating intimacy and learning through nonverbal communication
learning through nonverbal communication
learning through nonverbal communication and trying to take pictures that’s hold
and trying to take pictures that’s hold
and trying to take pictures that’s hold deeper more meaningful stories and and
deeper more meaningful stories and and
deeper more meaningful stories and and really using that which is different to
really using that which is different to
really using that which is different to show that which makes us all the same I
show that which makes us all the same I
show that which makes us all the same I love this photograph it’s like not
love this photograph it’s like not
love this photograph it’s like not technically perfect what self-respecting
technically perfect what self-respecting
technically perfect what self-respecting photographer leaves a shadow in the
photographer leaves a shadow in the
photographer leaves a shadow in the bottom like it’s like hardly in focus
bottom like it’s like hardly in focus
bottom like it’s like hardly in focus but the guy has a purple tracksuit like
but the guy has a purple tracksuit like
but the guy has a purple tracksuit like that is dope that is awesome and who
that is dope that is awesome and who
that is dope that is awesome and who drives their clothes in minus 40 why
drives their clothes in minus 40 why
drives their clothes in minus 40 why would you do that but the thing is it’s
would you do that but the thing is it’s
would you do that but the thing is it’s just like I’m a guy out drying my
just like I’m a guy out drying my
just like I’m a guy out drying my clothes sure I’m in the Pakistani
clothes sure I’m in the Pakistani
clothes sure I’m in the Pakistani military on the highest battlefield in
military on the highest battlefield in
military on the highest battlefield in the world but guess what it’s relatable
the world but guess what it’s relatable
the world but guess what it’s relatable and that’s what brings us together
and that’s what brings us together
and that’s what brings us together that’s the power of photography it
that’s the power of photography it
that’s the power of photography it brings us together it brings us closer
brings us together it brings us closer
brings us together it brings us closer this is hard live living up here this is
this is hard live living up here this is
this is hard live living up here this is very intimate space and to be invited in
very intimate space and to be invited in
very intimate space and to be invited in and to be shown that level of friendship
and to be shown that level of friendship
and to be shown that level of friendship was a true gift and it made me connect
was a true gift and it made me connect
was a true gift and it made me connect with these guys in a way a very real way
with these guys in a way a very real way
with these guys in a way a very real way where I started feeling much more for
where I started feeling much more for
where I started feeling much more for their struggle and their struggle is one
their struggle and their struggle is one
their struggle and their struggle is one that is is very very real
that is is very very real
that is is very very real Bertrand Russell has a wonderful quote
Bertrand Russell has a wonderful quote
Bertrand Russell has a wonderful quote says war does not determine who is right
says war does not determine who is right
says war does not determine who is right only who is left and you know I found
only who is left and you know I found
only who is left and you know I found this this foot of a Pakistani soldier
this this foot of a Pakistani soldier
this this foot of a Pakistani soldier frozen in the ice on the glacier and it
frozen in the ice on the glacier and it
frozen in the ice on the glacier and it occurred to me that this is somebody’s
occurred to me that this is somebody’s
occurred to me that this is somebody’s son and probably somebody’s brother and
son and probably somebody’s brother and
son and probably somebody’s brother and maybe somebody’s uncle
maybe somebody’s uncle
maybe somebody’s uncle this you know these wars are ugly and
this you know these wars are ugly and
this you know these wars are ugly and they leave scars and our actions as
they leave scars and our actions as
they leave scars and our actions as humans have consequences they all do but
humans have consequences they all do but
humans have consequences they all do but this led me to my first assignment for
this led me to my first assignment for
this led me to my first assignment for National Geographic they said yeah you
National Geographic they said yeah you
National Geographic they said yeah you can take a couple pictures we’ll try out
can take a couple pictures we’ll try out
can take a couple pictures we’ll try out might not go so well but we’ll give you
might not go so well but we’ll give you
might not go so well but we’ll give you a shot it was to an area called moose
a shot it was to an area called moose
a shot it was to an area called moose song it’s on the northern border of
song it’s on the northern border of
song it’s on the northern border of Nepal
Nepal
Nepal just south of Tibet and you know it was
just south of Tibet and you know it was
just south of Tibet and you know it was pivotal for Tibetan freedom fighters at
pivotal for Tibetan freedom fighters at
pivotal for Tibetan freedom fighters at the end of the Cultural Revolution but
the end of the Cultural Revolution but
the end of the Cultural Revolution but before that for thousands of years
before that for thousands of years
before that for thousands of years before that it was a space of absolute
before that it was a space of absolute
before that it was a space of absolute beauty and mystery we were using
beauty and mystery we were using
beauty and mystery we were using climbing to access these caves and and
climbing to access these caves and and
climbing to access these caves and and what I what I love about that is it back
what I what I love about that is it back
what I what I love about that is it back to you know one of the previous
to you know one of the previous
to you know one of the previous photographs it’s the hook Adventure is
photographs it’s the hook Adventure is
photographs it’s the hook Adventure is the hook to get people involved in
the hook to get people involved in
the hook to get people involved in science and then we can talk about
science and then we can talk about
science and then we can talk about culture and human migration so you when
culture and human migration so you when
culture and human migration so you when you’re telling stories you want to bring
you’re telling stories you want to bring
you’re telling stories you want to bring these elements together that’s sort of
these elements together that’s sort of
these elements together that’s sort of what I found works best for me an
what I found works best for me an
what I found works best for me an effective storytelling always brings you
effective storytelling always brings you
effective storytelling always brings you in it brings you very very close it
in it brings you very very close it
in it brings you very very close it takes you into the caves it gives you
takes you into the caves it gives you
takes you into the caves it gives you the smells and the textures it shows you
the smells and the textures it shows you
the smells and the textures it shows you that dry dry that sort of sand
that dry dry that sort of sand
that dry dry that sort of sand everywhere but it’s interesting when I
everywhere but it’s interesting when I
everywhere but it’s interesting when I look at these now too I feel like
look at these now too I feel like
look at these now too I feel like there’s a parallel with what was
there’s a parallel with what was
there’s a parallel with what was happening in my life I felt like I was
happening in my life I felt like I was
happening in my life I felt like I was standing at the opening of a cave
standing at the opening of a cave
standing at the opening of a cave looking in or not wanting to go in but
looking in or not wanting to go in but
looking in or not wanting to go in but just sort of being sucked in and not
just sort of being sucked in and not
just sort of being sucked in and not being able to see and feeling completely
being able to see and feeling completely
being able to see and feeling completely the sense of vertigo I didn’t know what
the sense of vertigo I didn’t know what
the sense of vertigo I didn’t know what was happening and much like Matt is
was happening and much like Matt is
was happening and much like Matt is doing here I was picking up random
doing here I was picking up random
doing here I was picking up random pieces and trying to fit them together
pieces and trying to fit them together
pieces and trying to fit them together and figure them out but nothing seemed
and figure them out but nothing seemed
and figure them out but nothing seemed to work
to work
to work in this image matt is actually finding a
in this image matt is actually finding a
in this image matt is actually finding a piece of pizza
piece of pizza
piece of pizza they chose ancient script a lot of times
they chose ancient script a lot of times
they chose ancient script a lot of times they look like this
they look like this
they look like this pick it up blow the dust off you know it
pick it up blow the dust off you know it
pick it up blow the dust off you know it was tax records or things like that
was tax records or things like that
was tax records or things like that sometimes it would look like this and
sometimes it would look like this and
sometimes it would look like this and that is an illuminated folio that
that is an illuminated folio that
that is an illuminated folio that predates Buddhism this is bun so this is
predates Buddhism this is bun so this is
predates Buddhism this is bun so this is what this is the animistic tradition of
what this is the animistic tradition of
what this is the animistic tradition of the Tibetan Plateau
the Tibetan Plateau
the Tibetan Plateau before the spread of the spreading of
before the spread of the spreading of
before the spread of the spreading of Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism it gives it a deeper understanding of
it gives it a deeper understanding of
it gives it a deeper understanding of how the culture there evolved you know
how the culture there evolved you know
how the culture there evolved you know it’s really about taking images that
it’s really about taking images that
it’s really about taking images that take tiny little pieces of the puzzle
take tiny little pieces of the puzzle
take tiny little pieces of the puzzle and then put them all together that’s
and then put them all together that’s
and then put them all together that’s what a visual narrative is and some of
what a visual narrative is and some of
what a visual narrative is and some of them have to take bigger leaps another
them have to take bigger leaps another
them have to take bigger leaps another but it’s its construction from the
but it’s its construction from the
but it’s its construction from the ground up and you have to open yourself
ground up and you have to open yourself
ground up and you have to open yourself up to seeing things in a very different
up to seeing things in a very different
up to seeing things in a very different way after a very long time we finally
way after a very long time we finally
way after a very long time we finally found what we were looking for which
found what we were looking for which
found what we were looking for which with human remains this is rescuer
with human remains this is rescuer
with human remains this is rescuer archeology these these these caves are
archeology these these these caves are
archeology these these these caves are actually literally exfoliating off the
actually literally exfoliating off the
actually literally exfoliating off the side of the mountain so we’d go in and
side of the mountain so we’d go in and
side of the mountain so we’d go in and we’d collect samples that we could what
we’d collect samples that we could what
we’d collect samples that we could what we were really looking for here were
we were really looking for here were
we were really looking for here were teeth now if you think of this in a way
teeth now if you think of this in a way
teeth now if you think of this in a way basically human remains are like finding
basically human remains are like finding
basically human remains are like finding the corner and the edge pieces of a
the corner and the edge pieces of a
the corner and the edge pieces of a jigsaw puzzle right once you have that
jigsaw puzzle right once you have that
jigsaw puzzle right once you have that you start to piece things together the
you start to piece things together the
you start to piece things together the reason teeth are important is because
reason teeth are important is because
reason teeth are important is because there’s in in your tooth enamel there’s
there’s in in your tooth enamel there’s
there’s in in your tooth enamel there’s something called strontium it’s SR 38 on
something called strontium it’s SR 38 on
something called strontium it’s SR 38 on the periodic table and what that has in
the periodic table and what that has in
the periodic table and what that has in it is a geo thumbprint essentially it
it is a geo thumbprint essentially it
it is a geo thumbprint essentially it tells you where you were born
tells you where you were born
tells you where you were born so if you can find somebody’s remains
so if you can find somebody’s remains
so if you can find somebody’s remains and you get their their strontium index
and you get their their strontium index
and you get their their strontium index and they were born someplace different
and they were born someplace different
and they were born someplace different than where they died and you do that
than where they died and you do that
than where they died and you do that with everybody in the burial crypt well
with everybody in the burial crypt well
with everybody in the burial crypt well all of a sudden you’re painting a very
all of a sudden you’re painting a very
all of a sudden you’re painting a very real picture about human migration and
real picture about human migration and
real picture about human migration and trade and this is the story of our human
trade and this is the story of our human
trade and this is the story of our human family this is why this matters we’re
family this is why this matters we’re
family this is why this matters we’re connecting the pieces and what’s so
connecting the pieces and what’s so
connecting the pieces and what’s so important about that and I think it’s
important about that and I think it’s
important about that and I think it’s more important now than ever now this is
more important now than ever now this is
more important now than ever now this is ancient history but ancient history
ancient history but ancient history
ancient history but ancient history matters because it’s only through
matters because it’s only through
matters because it’s only through understanding our past that I mean so
understanding our past that I mean so
understanding our past that I mean so much especially this week only through
much especially this week only through
much especially this week only through understanding our past can we hope to
understanding our past can we hope to
understanding our past can we hope to navigate our future so we have to pay
navigate our future so we have to pay
navigate our future so we have to pay attention to this stuff when things you
attention to this stuff when things you
attention to this stuff when things you know when we look back and we look at
know when we look back and we look at
know when we look back and we look at the events that happen how can we
the events that happen how can we
the events that happen how can we predict the future and hopefully how can
predict the future and hopefully how can
predict the future and hopefully how can we alter it to go down a better better
we alter it to go down a better better
we alter it to go down a better better road because you know honestly we all
road because you know honestly we all
road because you know honestly we all look up at the sky and we think oh the
look up at the sky and we think oh the
look up at the sky and we think oh the world’s so big and it’s
world’s so big and it’s
world’s so big and it’s infinite you know what it’s not you know
infinite you know what it’s not you know
infinite you know what it’s not you know the sky might be infinite but the world
the sky might be infinite but the world
the sky might be infinite but the world is very very very finite it’s extremely
is very very very finite it’s extremely
is very very very finite it’s extremely finite in an extremely fragile
”
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