Malibu's Johnny Strange ready to tackle Everest, make history

Outposts would like to introduce you to Johnny Strange, 17, a rich kid from Malibu who sits beneath the shadow of Mt. Everest, poised to make history.

Strange and his father are in Nepal and soon will begin their quest to tackle the world's tallest peak, whose skyward reach is a breathtaking (literally) 29,035 feet. If Johnny succeeds he'll become the youngest Westerner to attain the summit (a Nepalese Sherpa once did so at 15).

I met him before he caught a flight for Katmandu and he's a thrill seeker who loves a daunting challenge. He has already climbed five of the Seven Summits (the highest peaks on each continent) and aspires to become the youngest climber to bag all seven.

Everest represents his last major hurdle (that would leave Australia's 7,310-foot Mt. Kosciuskzo as the final steppingstone). Of the danger associated with a tempestuous mountain that has killed about 200 climbers, he said: "I could focus on all the bad things that could happen, but I like the fact that there's risk. If there wasn't risk, it wouldn't be fun."

His father, Brian, a prominent consumer affairs attorney, feels the same way, and if he makes the top of Everest it will be no small feat for a 53-year-old.

Please look for a forthcoming Los Angeles Times profile of the Strange duo, and visit Outposts for updates on their latest expedition.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Johnny Strange writes a report for his Everest blog, while sitting somewhere in Nepal. Credit: Brian Strange

  

 

Comments

[Don]

Why wasn't this kid in school in April?

I've looked into climbing some of these peaks, and it's not like you just fly there, climb, and then fly out. Once you are on the ground, it takes a good week or two to ascent and decent. How does the kid do his homework?

[Brenden]

From a young climber to another; there are old climbers and bold climbers, but no old bold climbers. Be Smart, i'm jealous.

[dayna hughes]

It is wonderful to see young people aspire to great challenges. I do wonder about the "youngest ever' labels, it then becomes about feeding egos, bragging rights! I like to see people challenge themselves, not be in the race to be the BEST, FASTEST, YOUNGEST, this is where we as humans have lost touch of what living is really about. It is a little ironic, as the mountain people tend to be spiritual (especially the tibetan/nepalese), usually practicing the art of not feeding the ego & living in the moment. Lets hope that these climbers learn from these mountains & come home humble, not celebrities.

Well done kids for your achievements & stay true to yourselves!

[Dianette Wells]

To all three teens on Everest this year, great job! Erica, what an amazingly mature decision. Johnny Collinson, very happy for you! To my son Johnny Strange- WAY TO GO!!! Youngest person in the world to have completed the 7 summits! Now, do your homework! Mom

[Tonya McArthur]

Johnny we, back at in your hometown, are very proud of your accomplishment. What a feat. You took on an extraordinary goal and saw it through.

You used an inner strength that you have found at an early age that can be used the rest of your life to succeed. This is something many people go a lifetime and never find.

Congratulations to your dad too!!! Best of luck in Aussie land.

[Johnny Strange]

p.s. Ive met johnny and erica both great kids who I can vouch for any day. I dont care what you say about me but dont put them down for they are both strong climbers and good people. Johnny has also reached the top, it is his second seventh summit which he also wants to be the youngest and I havent heard about erica. wish them the best , -Johnny Strange

[Johnny Strange]

Hey its johnny, we summited may 20th (sorry jason) and are about to climb the last one in australia. Thank you all who wished me luck it means alot to me and also to the people who spoke poorly of me for it fuels my fire.

[Dianette Wells]

Johnny Strange summated Mt. Everest 8 am Nepali time on May 20th. 6 down, 1 to go! Congratulations to him and to Johnny Collinson on his summit! Erica, you're next. Be safe!

[Marie Collinson]

There's another 17 year old on Everest right now, my nephew Johnny Collinson. He's on his way to the summit with the Benegas brothers (Patagonian Brothers Expeditions) as I write this; they should have left the South Col 9 P.M. Nepal time, today, May 18. He's been climbing since he was 2 when my brother began training him to trust a rope. He climbed Mt. Rainier with his father, mother, and older sister when he was 4 and holds the age record for Rainier and for a number of other western mountains (he climbed most of the 14,000 footers in Colorado the summer he was seven). His dad, my brother, is an avalanche forecaster in the Wasatch. He may not earn a great deal, but they live the life.

Good luck to all the teams up there. May the good Lord see them all safely home.

[Cassandra]

All the luck to you both for having a passion ! Take care on your journey your family is behind you xxx Cassandra

[Michael]

Check out Erica, another 17-year old up there right now on Everest with the First Ascent team guided by Dave Hahn, Ed Viesturs, and others.

Today, there was a dispatch that featured her and Dave:

http://blog.firstascent.com/2009/04/24/dave-hahns-team-reaches-camp-2-21202-ft/

Very exciting to see such young climbers getting into the sport!

[MacKenna S.]

You commenters (besides the nice people :) are mean and lazy who spend your time blogging on someone's story who actually does something with their life. I also happen to live in the same household as Johnny and Brian and I know that they are very strong and very well capable of this and they don't even need a guide to drag them up the mountain (Jason.) So get up off of your lazy asses and do something else with your lives than sending my family negative energy. Thanks for the POSITIVE feedback everyone else. -MacKenna

[patricia Giraldo]

Wow Jason......a little hostile there!I happen to know this young man and his family very well.His mother is an elite athlete who has already climbed Everest and Johnny is an amazing young man,driven,ambitious and in supreme physical condition.He should be applauded for for his commitment and exemplary character in taking on this challenge at such a young age.Perhaps YOU should spend a little less time blogging and a little more time doing physical exercise before you make rude remarks concerning other people's accomplishments.

[David S]

It is great that Johnny is active and challenging himself. This is no shortage of slacker kids with any ambition and obviously Johnny isn’t one of them. I wish him and his dad the best.

[Mike T.]

Jason: This kid has climbed 5 of the Seven Sunmmits and that makes him a poser? You sure read alot into this blog that I din't see.

[Taylor]

Good Luck Little Man.

[Jason]

This is a stupid article. Nearly anyone of reasonable fitness with enough money can hire a team to drag them up this mountain. Why is this newsworthy? At best, these two are poser mountain climbers whose strongest skill is buying performance outdoor clothing. At worse, their lack of skill will get someone else killed, ala Sandy Hill Pittman.

[Howard]

What? It's spring in the Himalaya and a rich guy is gearing up for an attempt on Everest? Get out!

Talk about dog bites man.

[josue]

Good Luck!