Chris Warner, the expedition leader, has been on more than 140 international mountaineering expeditions, including 13 trips on 8000-meter peaks. He has guided the North Ridge of Everest three times, soloed the South Face of Shisha Pangma, summited K2, Lhotse and Cho Oyu and has made strong and bold attempts on Nanga Parbat and Broad Peak. Chris has also pioneered new, technical routes on Shivling and Ama Dablam (in winter). Chris is the owner of Earth Treks, Inc, which operates three of the largest and best-known climbing gyms in the US, an international mountaineering guide service, and a rock and ice climbing school. Every year, Chris and his team guide Wharton MBA students on leadership development expeditions to the Andes and Kilimanjaro. Recognized as an educator, entrepreneur and mountaineer, Chris is also a published author and photographer. Chris and Don Schmincke's new book, High Altitude Leadership, will be published this October. His mountaineering film footage has appeared on numerous networks including the Travel Channel and National Geographic. Chris lead the 2007 Shared Summits K2 Expedition, which was the subject of an Emmy Nominated NBC Documentary. Each year Chris gives motivational talks to corporate groups, most often focusing on leadership issues. Chris has appeared on dozens of news programs and TV programs, including as host of a History Channel show and as the Everest guide on the Global Extremes series (OLN and ABC). Chris lives in Annapolis, MD, with his wife Melinda and daughter Wendy (2.5 yrs). More...

Nelson Laur has been climbing big mountains internationally since 1997 with his first summit on Yala Peak in the Himalaya. Since then he has participated in more than 40 international expeditions. This will be Nelson's 6th Expedition to the Himalaya, where he has previously summited on Cho Oyu and Ama Dablam. Nelson has been a professional mountain guide since 2001. He also spent time as an Outward Bound instructor in Colorado, volunteered as a Back Country Ranger in the Grand Canyon, and guided on the Snake River in Wyoming. Currently Nelson splits his time between expeditions as a part time mountain guide for Earth Treks, working as a carpenter in Baltimore, MD, and being a good husband (trying) to his wife Cece and father to his two children Anna Marie (3yrs) and Joshua (1yr).

Annamaria Cherubin has been on 5 international mountaineering expeditions, including summits of the highest peaks in Europe, South America, and Africa.  When not pursuing her passions for international travel and outdoor adventures, Anna works as a management consultant with Deloitte Consulting's Strategy & Operations group advising financial services institutions.  Anna holds an engineering degree from MIT and an MBA from Wharton.  She currently resides in New York City.

Dan Jenkins has been climbing internationally since the early 80s. Since then he's climbed the highest peaks in North and South America, Africa and Europe. In 1987 Dan and Chris Warner spent the summer climbing in Peru; since then they've pioneered a new route on Shivling and guided dozens of expeditions together. When Dan isn't in the mountains, he is leading Earth Treks' climbing instructors. A seasoned educator Dan has been teaching groups in the outdoors since 1985.

Evan Horst is Earth Treks Outdoor Climbing School Director. When he isn't guiding rock or ice climbing courses, he is running expeditions in South America and Africa. Evan is a graduate of Western State College in Gunnison Colorado, where he was a member of the mountain rescue team. Evan and Dan are coming to Nanga Parbat directly from Kilimanjaro, carrying all sorts of smelly clothes with them.

Eric Kapitulik is a former Marine Corps Captain. He graduated from the US Naval Academy and then became a Force Recon officer. Eric has completed seven IronMan triatholons, raising funds for the children of Marines who lost their lives in service to the United States. Eric's mountaineering expeditions include Denali, Aconcagua and Kilimanjaro. After Eric's career as a Marine, he attended the University of Chicago, earning an MBA.

Ashley Gateless gained a love for the outdoors growing up in the mountains of West Virginia. Ashley is the Assistant Director of Earth Treks Rockville. She earned a degree in communications from Muskingum College. This will be her first Himalayan Expedition; she will be acting as base camp manager and director of photography for the team's film project.

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