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The South Col Expedition Team Members

Vern Tejas
One of the world's most famous mountaineers, Tejas has summitted the highest mountain on each continent and has guided well over 30 climbs on Denali (Mount McKinley). A charismatic leader, he is legendary for making the first solo winter ascent of Denali, the first solo ascent of Vinson Massif and as a lead guide for Col. Norman Vaughn's ascent of Mount Vaughn.

In addition to his fame and expertise in the extreme environments of Alaska, Antarctica, and the Caucasus, Vernon's success in guiding people to the summit is simply remarkable. In addition to numerous guided expeditions of Elbrus, Tejas has 100% success on Kilimanjaro. His guided ascents are an extremely unique blend of his dynamic spirit, climbing expertise and guiding savvy, and are renowned in the guiding community.

Tejas recently led one of the first American expeditions to Iran's Mount Damavand. Most recently he had outstanding success on Denali and Elbrus, and in his free time, completed a winter ascent of Aconcagua and a top-10 finish in the 1999 Discovery Channel Eco-Challenge. With a fiddle in his hand and a smile on his face, Vernon Tejas treats everyone to the remarkable experience of life!


Willi Prittie
Prittie has been climbing, guiding and teaching for over 20 years and is considered one of the premier instructors in the US and his students have had outstanding success in reaching personal goals. Prittie is a Senior Guide for the American Mountain Guides Association and (should he have the time) will be responsible for accrediting new guides into the AMGA.

Fluent in Spanish and well-versed in South American culture he has an outstanding reputation for leading safe and successful trips. Needless to say, Prittie has developed a large following and recently led climbs to Mount Sajama, Cho Oyu, Pumori, Mount McKinley and two ascents of Aconcagua. Prittie has led over a dozen climbs to the summit of Aconcagua and is considered one of the world's leading climbing and logistical experts in the region. He has also led numerous climbs to Ecuador's Volcanoes, including a successful trip last season.

Prittie also bears the responsibility of training new guides on climbs around the world. He is the consummate mountain guide and one of the most respected mountaineers in America.


The Sherpa Climbing Team
Click here for a photo gallery and bios of the Sherpa climbing team.
Missing from the gallery is Nema Sherpa, age 32, the Camp II assistant cook.


Al Hanna
Since 1992, Al Hanna has climbed Ama Dablam, Carstensz Pyramid, Vinson Massif, Kilimanjaro, and Mount Elbrus. He reached the south summit of Mount Everest in 1995, and this year, climbed Aconcagua for the sheer adventure of it, as well as a warm-up for his upcoming attempt on Everest.

By profession, Hanna is the principal owner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mid-North Financial Services, Inc., which he founded nearly 18 years ago. Al and his wife live in Chicago.


Kevin Grant
Kevin has been climbing for 15 years and his ascents include the West Rib of Denali, the Polish direct route on Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro, Mt. Blanc (the du tacol route), Grand Jorasses, Huayna Potosi, Alpamayo, Condoriri in Bolivia and multiple climbs throughout the United States.


Jack O’Donnell
Jack is from Colorado Springs, CO and has been on ascents of Denali, Aconcagua, Ama Dablam and numerous fourteeners in Colorado.


Stacy Taniguchi
Stacy been climbing for over 20 years including 15 years guiding on Denali with 15 summits. He has also climbed numerous peaks around the world including Lenin Peak, Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus and Mt. Rainier.


Base Camp Support Team

Bryce Brown
Bryce Brown AKA "Dr. Stitch", expedition medical officer. Bryce is the sole Canadian ambassador on this team, originally from Thunder Bay, Ontario. Bryce has been climbing approximately eight years, summitting many Canadian peaks and Denali. Bryce aspires to a career in emergency and expedition medicine at the completion of his medical training.


Ellie Henke
Base Camp Manager. Half of the Willi and Ellie duo, Ellie has been climbing for about 15 years. This year she spent three months managing the Aconcagua Base Camp (13,800ft.) for Alpine Ascents, and in April moved up to Everest Base Camp (17,600ft.). Home for Willi and Ellie is a sailboat in Olympia, Washington. Despite many international ascents, Ellie says,"I'm not really a climber, I'm a horseback rider."