We recently had the chance to connect with John Quillen and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning John, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Anything rock climbing related makes me lose track of time. I can be on a route for 15 or 20 minutes and it seems like the whole day has passed.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is John Quillen and I own John Quillen adventures, a mountaineering company. We specialize in the South American volcanoes and beginner mountaineering trips.
I started my own personal mountaineering experience in 2004. With a summit of Rainier in Seattle.. from that time I went on to climb five of the seven summits, three of the 8,000 m peaks and Everest in 2018.
Having been a client of commercial expeditions myself I knew what was missing from the experiences I had on other mountains. When leading trips I try to be personally involved with each of My clients’ success.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
In 2013 I was part of a international expedition to climb Broad Peak in the Karakoram mountains of Pakistan. Not only were redoing with remnants of the Taliban but bad weather and political issues.
When my partner fell 100 ft while descending from a high camp a shattering his leg the entire experience changed. Three of our Iranian teammates mobilized to help me get him off the mountain.
We were able to get Brian to safety but my friends were not so fortunate.
In this highly politicized world where we are told who our enemies are supposed to
be, I vowed to reject the warmongering aims of this global cabal of autocracy, both foreign and domestic.
When did you last change your mind about something important?
Learning to reject the ways of the world is a basic tenet of my faith. But it is something with which all human beings struggle. Mountaineering draws me into a space of uncomfortable existence. But also reduces life to its most basic elements. You appreciate a cold drink of water or shade or a warm sleeping bag.
And sometimes the company of others.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
Jimmy Carter recently passed away but I think he’s one of the greatest humans to ever grace the planet. It is not what he did during his presidency but afterwards that defined him.
He’s living proof that you can always have a second act and it can often be better than the first.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
The reality is that when we’re gone I don’t think people care too much about us.
The only legacy about which I’m concerned is one of compassion and assistance to fellow man.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Johnquillenadventures.com
- Instagram: @johnwquillen
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@karakoramclimber?si=KgrHximQAgDkQgwm
