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Andrew Alexander King: Making the World’s Tallest Peaks More Inclusive

Billy Conley010 mins

Andrew Alexander King: A Journey to Increase Diversity in Mountaineering

American outdoor explorer Andrew Alexander King is on a mission to not only climb the tallest peaks around the world but also to help increase diversity on the mountaintops. He’s pictured here on Denali mountain in Alaska, the highest peak in North America.

American outdoor explorer Andrew Alexander King is on a mission to not only climb the tallest peaks around the world, but also to help increase diversity on the mountaintops. He's pictured here on Denali mountain in Alaska, the highest peak in North America.
American outdoor explorer Andrew Alexander King is on a mission to not only climb the tallest peaks around the world, but also to help increase diversity on the mountaintops. He’s pictured here on Denali mountain in Alaska, the highest peak in North America.

The Importance of Representation

“Representation equals the future for any athlete,” King tells CNN. When he’s not exploring mountaintops like Mount Toubkal, the highest mountain in Morocco (pictured), he’s dedicated to integrating more diverse communities into climbing, including efforts back home in Los Angeles with his gym Sender One.

"Representation equals the future for any athlete," King tells CNN. When he
“Representation equals the future for any athlete,” King tells CNN. When he’s not exploring mountaintops like Mount Toubkal, the highest mountain in Morocco (pictured), he’s working on integrating more diverse communities into climbing — including back home in Los Angeles, with his gym Sender One.

Giving Back to the Community

King also likes to give back to the communities around the mountains he climbs by volunteering with local nonprofits. He’s pictured here with members of the Moving Mountain Trust in Nairobi, Kenya, before making the trek up Mt. Kenya on December 8, 2021.

King also likes to give back to the communities around the mountains he climbs by volunteering with local nonprofits. He's pictured here with members of the Moving Mountain Trust in Nairobi, Kenya before making the trek up Mt. Kenya on December 8, 2021.
King also likes to give back to the communities around the mountains he climbs by volunteering with local nonprofits. He’s pictured here with members of the Moving Mountain Trust in Nairobi, Kenya before making the trek up Mt. Kenya on December 8, 2021.

Climbing for a Greater Purpose

On December 11, 2021, King, alongside a group of Kenyans, reached the summit of Mt. Kenya. “I plan to keep on, not climbing to conquer, but climbing to really learn about the community and protect those around the mountains,” he states. His mission extends beyond personal achievements; it focuses on uplifting others.

On December 11, 2021, King and a group of Kenyans reached the summit of Mt. Kenya. 'I plan to keep on, not climbing to conquer, but climbing to really learn about the community and protect those around the mountains and those that actually stand up for (their) issues,' he says.
On December 11, 2021, King and a group of Kenyans reached the summit of Mt. Kenya. ‘I plan to keep on, not climbing to conquer, but climbing to really learn about the community and protect those around the mountains and those that actually stand up for (their) issues,’ he says.

Future Goals

Over the next eight years, King aspires to tackle the classic seven summits and the seven tallest volcanic summits on each continent. He would become the first Black man to achieve this feat. However, he emphasizes that his goal is about fostering representation, giving Black people “the ability to see themselves in a higher place, a bigger pew.” Pictured here, he’s on top of Pico de Orizaba, the tallest volcanic peak in North America.

Over the next eight years, King wants to tackle the classic seven summits and the seven tallest volcanic summits on each continent. He would be the first Black man to do so -- however, his purpose is larger than himself; instead, he says, it's about giving Black people 'the ability to see themselves in a higher place, a bigger pew.' Pictured here, he's on top of Pico de Orizaba, the tallest volcanic peak in North America.
Over the next eight years, King wants to tackle the classic seven summits and the seven tallest volcanic summits on each continent. He would be the first Black man to do so — however, his purpose is larger than himself; instead, he says, it’s about giving Black people ‘the ability to see themselves in a higher place, a bigger pew.’ Pictured here, he’s on top of Pico de Orizaba, the tallest volcanic peak in North America.

Breaking Barriers in Mountaineering

King, pictured in Aroumd, Morocco, rock climbing in 2021, has summited around 66 mountains and shows no signs of slowing down. He believes that when he eventually stops, it will be “someone else’s turn to write their story on breaking the glass ceiling.” He expresses hope for diverse representation in outdoor activities and aims to empower others in their respective journeys.

King, pictured in Aroumd, Morocco rock climbing in 2021, says he's summited around 66 mountains to date and shows no signs of slowing down. When he does eventually stop, it will be 'someone else's turn to write their story on breaking the glass ceiling,' he says. 'It could be a woman that's fighting her fight within a community within the Middle East, or it could be a LGBTQ individual that's fighting their fight within South America.'
King, pictured in Aroumd, Morocco rock climbing in 2021, says he’s summited around 66 mountains to date and shows no signs of slowing down. When he does eventually stop, it will be ‘someone else’s turn to write their story on breaking the glass ceiling,’ he says. ‘It could be a woman that’s fighting her fight within a community within the Middle East, or it could be a LGBTQ individual that’s fighting their fight within South America.’

The Challenge of Accessibility

When King first picked up the sport in his 20s, he climbed in Walmart boots and a hoodie. He emphasizes that gear and expeditions can be prohibitively expensive, presenting a barrier for entry into mountaineering. Sponsorships play a crucial role in supporting his endeavors, allowing him to focus on his mission.

King says when he first picked up the sport in his 20s, he climbed in Walmart boots and a hoodie. He says that gear and expeditions are expensive and can be a barrier for entry into mountaineering. King relies on sponsorships to help outfit him. Here, he's pictured at the summit of Cotopaxi Volcano in Ecuador on November 7, 2021.
King says when he first picked up the sport in his 20s, he climbed in Walmart boots and a hoodie. He says that gear and expeditions are expensive and can be a barrier for entry into mountaineering. King relies on sponsorships to help outfit him. Here, he’s pictured at the summit of Cotopaxi Volcano in Ecuador on November 7, 2021.

Promoting Diversity in Outdoor Adventures

In December 2021, King climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania for the second time and brought other Black climbers with him. He expresses his desire for diverse representation in outdoor climbing, stating, “I don’t want to stand on a mountain and be the only one in the photo.” His vision aligns with a broader goal of fostering inclusivity and a collective spirit within the climbing community.

In December 2021, King climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania for the second time (pictured) and brought other Black climbers with him. 'I don't want to stand on a mountain and be the only one in the photo,' King says. 'I'd like it to be a diverse photo with a collective rainbow of individuals, breaking through the glass ceiling.'
In December 2021, King climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania for the second time (pictured) and brought other Black climbers with him. ‘I don’t want to stand on a mountain and be the only one in the photo,’ King says. ‘I’d like it to be a diverse photo with a collective rainbow of individuals, breaking through the glass ceiling.’

Looking Ahead

King, pictured in Chamonix, France scaling up the ice, plans to spend time in Europe this year climbing iconic peaks while working with local nonprofits on humanitarian efforts. He remains committed to continuing the conversation around the lack of diversity in mountaineering, fostering inclusivity every step of the way.

King, pictured in Chamonix, France scaling up the ice on February 21, 2021, says he will be spending time in Europe this year climbing some iconic peaks, all while working with local nonprofits on humanitarian efforts and continuing the conversation around the lack of diversity on the mountains.
King, pictured in Chamonix, France scaling up the ice on February 21, 2021, says he will be spending time in Europe this year climbing some iconic peaks, all while working with local nonprofits on humanitarian efforts and continuing the conversation around the lack of diversity on the mountains.


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