Elite Traveler Spring 2019

INFLUENCE THE BIG INTERVIEW

Cory Richards on overcoming obstacles

Mountain climber, photographer and star of Vacheron Constantin’s newmarketing campaign, ‘One of not many,’ Cory Richards pushes himself to the extreme. Here, he shares insights withRoberta Naas about his highly rigorous dual-profession life

A mountain climber and National Geographic photographer, Cory Richards regularly tests the limits of mortality: He has summited a host of mountains, survived an avalanche and regularly battles depression. His unique combination of artist and adventurer, tenacity and personal drive have earned him accolades around the world, in addition to setting world firsts. Now, he heads to the mainstream as one of the stars of Swiss watch brand Vacheron Constantin’s new marketing campaign, ‘One of not many.’ The importance of time while climbing (miscalculating your starting time could lead to a treacherous, even deadly descent) and his passion for watches made him a natural fit alongside other featured contemporary artists. Richards says, “It is a huge honor and a privilege to be part of this campaign for such a prestigious brand. I don’t think of myself that way [one of not many], so to be asked to be a part of it is humbling.” When you learn more about Richards, though, you find that he embodies the very essence of the ‘One of not many’ concept. Richards is planning his next climb of Mt Everest (his fourth to date) this spring, but he isn’t planning the conventional climb (if there is such a thing). He and a fellow climber are plotting a different route to the summit, one that’s never been done before — without the use of supplemental oxygen. Additionally, they are climbing in single-push style — meaning, once they are acclimatized and leave base camp, they will climb

nonstop for 40 to 70 hours in the face of bitter cold and gale-force winds. “It is scary ambitious, but I have never been one who sets small goals,” says the 37-year-old adventurer who, eight years ago, became the first American to successfully reach the 8,000-meter-high summit of Pakistan’s Gasherbrum II in winter. Richards and his two climbing partners, Simone Moro and Denis Urubko, made the ascent in minus-50-degree temperatures without the aid of supplemental oxygen. It was on the descent, though, that they encountered the near-death experience of a massive avalanche barreling down on them. “The seconds between hearing and then seeing that avalanche come toward us was the single longest stretch of time in my life,” recalls Richards. “There is such fear, but then once you are caught in the avalanche, in that moment, you almost exist outside of time. Thoughts become multilayered and multidimensional; you are reaching back in time and going forward in time all at once. You have complex thoughts that overlap; but somehow are clear and individual. It is the breadth of a lifetime experienced in a few moments.” Richards ended up buried in the snow, with just his face visible; his friend found him and dug him and another friend out. The trio survived. Richards photographed it all, and the experience was later the basis for the independent film Cold . This harrowing experience did not curb Richards’ passion for climbing, though. A year later he climbed Everest and “failed

“The seconds between hearing and then seeing that avalanche come toward us was the single longest stretch of time inmy life”

spectacularly.” He kept going back, and says he will continue until he successfully climbs this new path without extra oxygen and reaches the summit. Richards says his determination is inherent. “The driving force is indescribable. It is like asking Picasso what is the driving force behind his creations, and the answer is creation.” Much of Richards’ tumultuous adolescence most likely framed his future. He had never been one to succumb to circumstances. As he was a bit of a problem teen, Richards’ parents sent him to a behavioral treatment facility when he was about 14 years old. He ran away three times. “I kept telling them that this program wasn’t working for me, but the people there hear that all the time, so I kept running away. The last time I ran away, my parents said I didn’t

Clockwise from left: An avid climber and world- renowned photographer, Richards combines these passions when documenting his ascents and descents of some of the most challenging mountains in the world

Photos Cory Richards, Phil Poynter