He left America to start a life as a "mountain climbing pilgrim" and in the process founded this history-making Everest Climb for Peace. Lance is an avid explorer who has traveled all over the world in the search for adventure. He is also a musician and has played the drums for over 20 years. Throughout his teenage years and into his twenties, he was a karate instructor-teaching young children self defense and discipline. Many years of his recent life were spent as a used book dealer, selling books to people all over the world. He went to school at UC Berkeley, where he studied religion under world famous scholar Huston Smith. Being a Buddhist he has actively tried to lead a compassionate and mindful life. His passion has been mountain climbing and exploring--he has spent many months trekking and climbing through and on mountains in Nepal, Tibet, China, Mongolia, Russia, and India. He recently climbed Mt. Elbrus in Russia, summited a couple of 6000 meter peaks in Ladakh, and spent time on Everest in Tibet. This July he will be climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa.
On October 2nd, 2002 while trekking in Ladakh, India - Lance was 15,000 feet high - overlooking one of the most incredible valleys he had ever seen when a vision or a sudden burst of inspiration overcame him. It was freezing outside, but the intensity of his vision was keeping him warm....Only an hour had passed but within that short period of time Lance had envisioned his new mission in life - never before had his life's purpose been so clear: he was going to organize an Everest Climb for Peace that would promote a global community of peace, teamwork, and cultural understanding. He was going back to Mt. Everest-the place that he had been fascinated with for the last several years-the place that he had traveled to twice in the last twelve months.
"Ever since I was child, mountains have always held a strong fascination for me. Whenever I saw an interesting mountain, I wanted to climb and explore it. Unfortunately, my desire to explore never came to fruition until recently, when I first visited Nepal. I instantly fell in love with the people, the culture, and the mountains!-so much so-that I moved to Kathmandu! And now, after climbing in the Himalayas of Nepal, Tibet, and India I have been making up for lost time!
Another passion of mine has been the study of different cultures and religions. During the course of my studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where I was a comparative Religious Studies major, I had the honor of studying under Huston Smith-a world renowned author and scholar. An amazing thing happened on that mountain in India: my two passions in life merged; it was as if the idea had been waiting to be born-and now, finally, I was capable of making it happen.
However, doubts entered my mind. I first thought that perhaps the idea to mix spirituality and mountain climbing was a little strange. But as I pondered it, I realized that throughout history mountains have played important spiritual roles and have always held a special place in the hearts and souls of people. For many people, certain mountains are sacred places where gods and goddesses live, where divinity is there to honor, worship, and respect. For others, mountains are aesthetic masterpieces where Nature's glory is obvious, abundant, and powerful…my idea was not so strange after all."
Lance has dedicated his life to make this Climb become a reality. He is now back in America doing a promotional tour of the United States in search of media exposure and funds for this historic Climb for Peace. If you are interested in having Lance speak at one of your events, please click here.
Lance on Mt. Elbrus in Russia
Lance on Everest in Tibet
Lance on the Summit of a 6000 Meter peak in Ladakh, India
In Nepal (Mt. Pumori in the background)
Lance with a Lama in front of Mt. Kailash in Tibet
Taken in Ladakh, India-October 2002--
In the area where I became inspired to create The Everest Peace Project.
