Sean Burch

Sean Burch
Burch (2023)
Born (1970-06-08) June 8, 1970
Fairfax, Virginia, United States[1]
NationalityAmerican
Alma materRoanoke College[1]
Occupation(s)Mountaineer, filmmaker, executive performance specialist, author

Sean Burch (born June 8, 1970) is an American explorer, mountaineer, motivational speaker, and documentarian. Burch was the first Virginian to climb Mount Everest,[2][3] earning him commendation from the Virginia General Assembly in 2004.[4][1] As of 2022, he held eight World Records.[3][5][6] His book Hyperfitness: 12 Weeks to Reaching Your Inner Everest and Getting into the Best Shape of Your Life was published by Penguin Random House in 2007.[7][8][2] He is creator and founder of the extreme fitness program Hyperfitness and of Khumbu Productions.[9] In 2010, he was named U.S. Goodwill Ambassador to Nepal by the Nepalese Government;[10][3] he has also been awarded a medal from the King of Nepal for his solo summit of Mount Everest.

Early life and education

Burch was born in Fairfax, Virginia and graduated from Oakton High School. He studied history at Roanoke College and was part of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. While there, he began training in martial arts. He received his black belt in Shotokan before graduating and has since studied and become a certified instructor of Jeet Kune Do and Filipino martial arts.[11][12] In 2014, he named a peak in Mongolia after the college.[13][14]

Burch was inspired to start training to be a mountaineer when his grandfather, Norwegian-American explorer and World War II veteran Hans Schau, admitted from his deathbed that there were "so many things he wished he could have done."[3][11] In 2001, Burch named a peak in the Wrangell Mountains "Mount Schau" in his honor.[15][11]

Expeditions

Burch trained for four years to prepare for a solo trek up Mount Everest.[3] In 2000, he climbed in Alaska's Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and was recognized for three first ascents of previously unclimbed mountain peaks.[10] In 2001, he and Dan Mazur reached the submit of Shishapangma in Tibet.[10][3] The next year, he achieved the fastest American ascent at Aconcagua in Argentina, followed by fourteen first ascents in Gronau Nunatakker region of East Greenland.[10][16][2] His Mount Everest climb, wherein he brought no additional oxygen, something only seven people had attempted previously, took place in 2003.[17][10] He brought non-prescription medical supplies to the local Nepalese population prior to his trek and was accompanied by a sherpa to help carry his gear.[11] He was the first Virginian in history to successfully reach the peak, for which the Virginia General Assembly commended him.[18][19][1]

In 2004, he won first place at the North Pole Marathon.[10][20][2] In 2005, he reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in 5 hours, 28 minutes, and 48 seconds; he was recognized for it in the 2008 edition of Guinness World Records.[6][21][2][10][22] In 2006, Burch achieved a world record for making 63 first ascents in 23 days while climbing solo in Tibet.[10] His record was broken in 2013 by Kilian Jornet, who climbed the mountain in 5 hours, 23 minutes, and 50 seconds.[23][24] He climbed Mount Fuji in 4 hours and 5 minutes in 2009, earning the world record for fastest winter ascent,[10][25][26] and in 2010 completed the Great Himalaya Trail by crossing Nepal via the Himalaya Range from the Indian border to the Tibetan border in 49 days, 6 hours, and 8 minutes.[27][28][29][30][31] In 2014, he earned 23 first ascents while climbing solo in Mongolia.[14][32][33] He also appeared on and won season two of Ultimate Survival Alaska alongside teammates Dallas Seavey and Eddie Ahyakak.[14][33][4][34][35] In 2016, he claimed another 31 first ascents while climbing solo in Nepal's Humla District.[36][37][38] In 2023, he accomplished the world's first solo road-summit-road in less than 18 hours at Monte Pissis, as well as the world's first solo Catamarca-Summit-Catamarca RT in 24 hours at Ojos del Salado.[39]

Burch began filming his expeditions in 2003 on Mount Everest as a way to record his solo expeditions in remote regions around the world. He completed his first film, The Icefall Doctor, in 2021. It follows the original icefall doctor, Angnima Sherpa, of the Khumbu Icefall on Mount Everest.[3][13][40] He started his own production company, Khumbu Productions, during filming.[3] He served as director, editor, writer, and producer, and assisted with camera and sound.[41] The film was shown at numerous film festivals around the world, winning awards such as the BBVA Award and Silver Edelweiss for Best Mountain Film at the Tórello Mountain Film Festival in 2022[42][43] and for Best Mountains, Sports, & Adventure Film at Festival Gorniskega Filma in 2023.[44][45]

Burch's expeditions have been chronicled by a range of magazines and newspapers, including Reuters,[46] Associated Press,[47] BBC,[27] Outside,[9] Virginia Living,[48][7] The Virginian-Pilot,[49] CNN,[36] Deccan Herald,[37] WTOP News,[50] and Washingtonian.[51] He has worked with charities, organizations, and campaigns supporting environmental rights, wilderness preservation, cancer prevention, and health and community development within impoverished and remote areas of human habitation in Nepal.[50][11] He has collaborated and partnered with the Nepal Trust,[9] the Fujisan Club of Japan, Hidden Himalaya,[12] No Kid Hungry,[14] the World Wildlife Fund, Love Hope Strength, ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation, and the Himalayan Rescue Association. He has given presentations on global warming for organizations including The Explorers Club. Burch is an on-going Partner with the National Forest Foundation, PHIT America, and America Nepal Society.

Burch works as a "personal development and leadership specialist" for Fortune 500 companies.[3] His book Hyperfitness: 12 Weeks to Reaching Your Inner Everest and Getting into the Best Shape of Your Life was published by Penguin Random House in 2007.[7][2]

Awards and honors

Year Award Awarding Body Notes Refs
2004 Commendation Virginia General Assembly Joint House Resolution #218 - Honoring 1st Virginian to Summit Mount Everest [1][4]
2005 Guinness World Record: Fastest Ascent of Mt. Kilimanjaro Guinness World Records 5 hours, 28 minutes, 48 seconds; record broken by Kilian Jornet (5:23:50) in 2013 [10][6][21][23][2]
2006 World Record 63 summits of unclimbed peaks in 23 days, Tibet [10]
2009 World Record: Fastest Winter Ascent of Mount Fuji 4:05:42 [10]
2010 U.S. Goodwill Ambassador to Nepal Nepalese Government Awarded by Sharat Singh Bhandari [10][3]
2015 Brand Personality of the Year Asia Pacific Brands Foundation [52]
Guinness World Record: Jump Rope at Altitude Guinness World Records 26,181 ft [10]
Guinness World Record: Fastest Time for Northernmost Marathon Guinness World Records First Marathon and wearing snowshoes [10]
Commendation Virginia General Assembly Joint House Resolution - Honoring World Record Ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro
Distinguished Achievement Mongolian National Mountaineering Federation Most First Ascents in Mongolia
"Year’s Best" Nomination National Geographic Adventure
"This Year's Greatest Feat" Men's Journal: The Record Book
Adventure Athlete of the Year Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine
Gold ADDY Award, Photographer Roanoke College Magazine Cover
Medal King of Nepal For solo summit of Mount Everest

Personal life

In 2001, Burch and married Gabrielle, a schoolteacher, at Mount Whitney in California's Sierra Nevada range. They met when she attended one of his kickboxing classes.[11] They have a son, Hans.[2][3] In the early 2000s, the family lived in Washington D.C. Burch, now divorced, has since moved to Warrenton, Virginia.[10][3][2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "House Joint Resolution No. 218". lis.virginia.gov. January 2004. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Moody, Erica (August 21, 2024). "The First Virginian to Scale Mount Everest is Helping Others Conquer Their Fears". Northern Virginia Magazine.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Warrenton's Sean Burch: mountaineer, explorer, filmmaker, author, and inspirational speaker". Inside Nova. January 9, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c "Sean Burch explains taking on 'Ultimate Survival Alaska' — for no cash prize". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. December 2, 2021 [2013-12-12]. ISSN 0190-8286. OCLC 1330888409.
  5. ^ Augenstein, Neal (January 2, 2017). "How Va. adventurer's phone helped claim world-record climbs in Nepal". WTOP News.
  6. ^ a b c Craig Glenday (2008). Guinness World Records 2008. Bantam Books. p. 173. ISBN 978-0-553-58995-5.
  7. ^ a b c Ernsberger, Jr., Richard (May 16, 2011). "Pain for Happiness". VirginiaLiving.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2012. Retrieved October 24, 2012.
  8. ^ Heffernan, Andrew (April 1, 2010). "A 45-Minute Hyperfit Workout". Experience Life.
  9. ^ a b c Hansen, Eric (February 2011). "It Keeps You Running". Outside Magazine. Archived from the original on February 22, 2011.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Sean Burch, Nepal Goodwill Ambassador". Explorers Web. November 4, 2010. Archived from the original on November 22, 2010.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "Peak Performance". The Connection. March 12, 2003. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  12. ^ a b "Summitting Your Own Mountain". Star & Lamp. Pi Kappa Phi. Spring 2024. pp. 53–55. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  13. ^ a b "Adventurous alumnus releases Everest-related documentary". Roanoke College. August 17, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  14. ^ a b c d "Sean Burch '92 picks up seventh world record in Mongolia and names Roanoke College Peak". Roanoke College. November 10, 2014. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  15. ^ "North America, United States, Alaska, Wrangell Mountains, Mt. Schou, Peak 8625', and Peak 8778', New Routes". The American Alpine Club. 2001. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  16. ^ Friend, Tim (May 7, 2003). "Forgoing supplemental oxygen makes task even more daunting". USA Today. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014.
  17. ^ "Oakton Man Gains Right to Name Mountains". The Connection. July 31, 2002. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  18. ^ "Sean Burch Everest summit confirmed by wife". Mt Everest Government Board. May 23, 2003. Archived from the original on March 2, 2014.
  19. ^ "Elliot in the Morning: Sean Burch". December 11, 2013. Archived from the original on April 15, 2014 – via DC101.
  20. ^ Burfoot, Amby. "Is Cold-Weather Running Bad For You?". Runner's World Magazine. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012.
  21. ^ a b "FKT: Sean Burch - Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) - 2005-06-07". Fastest Known Time. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  22. ^ Patty Kim (August 25, 2006). "Interview: Sean Burch". National Geographic Radio (Podcast). Archived from the original on September 2, 2006.
  23. ^ a b "Jornet sets speed record at Kilimanjaro". Ultra Running. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  24. ^ "Trend picks of the year: Mountain". National Geographic Adventure. National Geographic. December 2007. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014.
  25. ^ Boyd Matson (February 21, 2009). "February 21, 2009". National Geographic Weekend (Podcast). No. 225. National Geographic. Archived from the original on December 2, 2012.
  26. ^ White, Joseph (February 20, 2009). "Frostbite and a GPS: Virginia man claims Mt. Fuji record". Honolulu Advertiser.
  27. ^ a b "Running man's record-breaking race across Nepal". BBC. October 25, 2010. Archived from the original on October 28, 2010.
  28. ^ White, Joseph (February 17, 2011). "Adventurer Hikes the Himalayas in 49 Days". NBC News. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014.
  29. ^ Boyd Matson (November 13, 2010). "November 13, 2010". National Geographic Weekend (Podcast). No. 433. National Geographic. Archived from the original on March 2, 2012.
  30. ^ "The Great Himalayan Trail Record broken – 49 days, 6 hours, 8 minutes!". The Nepal Trust. January 24, 2022. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  31. ^ "Sean Burch crossed Nepal in new record time!". Explorer's Web. October 11, 2010. Archived from the original on October 21, 2010.
  32. ^ "Sean Burch climbed record first ascents in Mongolia". Explorers Web. December 23, 2014. Archived from the original on February 6, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  33. ^ a b Frank, Noah (December 24, 2014). "To The End of the World with Sean Burch, an Extreme Mountaineer". WTOP.
  34. ^ Vicky Hallett (December 23, 2021) [2013-12-17]. "Local athlete Sean Burch tackles 'Ultimate Survival Alaska'". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. ISSN 0190-8286. OCLC 1330888409.
  35. ^ DeMarban, Alex (March 10, 2014). "'Ultimate Survival Alaska' concludes with race up Mt. Augustine". Anchorage Daily News.
  36. ^ a b "Mountain climber sets world record in Nepal". CNN. December 27, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  37. ^ a b "American explorer sets new official record of most 1st ascents". Deccan Herald. November 15, 2016.
  38. ^ "Burch gets world record for 31 first ascents in the Himalayan Mountains". Roanoke College. November 10, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  39. ^ "Sean Burch Interview with DC101's EITM radio show,". DC101's EITM radio show (Podcast). Archived from the original on August 3, 2024.
  40. ^ "Washingtonian Magazine - October". October 5, 2023.
  41. ^ "The Icefall Doctor" (PDF). 19th Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival. December 2021. p. 49. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  42. ^ "Awards". Torelló Mountain Film. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  43. ^ @torellomountain (November 20, 2021). "Congratulations @SeanBurch for winning the @bbva prize for the best mountain film of this festival edition and for shaking consciousnesses!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  44. ^ "The Icefall Doctor" (in Slovenian). Festival Gorniskega Filma.
  45. ^ "Awards". Festival gorniškega filma. Archived from the original on February 25, 2023.
  46. ^ "U.S. Hiker Sean Burch walks at Upper Dolpa area of North Nepal ..." 2Space. October 26, 2010. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014.
  47. ^ "This handout photo provided by Sean Burch shows Burch on top of …". Yahoo!. February 17, 2011. Archived from the original on March 2, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  48. ^ Tupponce, Joan (July 8, 2019). "Getting Uncomfortable". Virginia Living.
  49. ^ "REACH THE SUMMIT OF YOUR POTENTIAL: Mountain climber gives sales executives leadership tips". The Virginian-Pilot. March 7, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  50. ^ a b "Adventurer Sean Burch looks to leave legacy of climate change awareness". WTOP. January 31, 2017.
  51. ^ Ruf, Jessica (October 5, 2023). "The First Virginian to Scale Everest Made a Documentary". Washingtonian.
  52. ^ "Sean Burch". Asia Pacific Brands Foundation.
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