i’m katie.

writer, photographer,
& accidental mountaineer.

lover of dogs, basketball, football, em dashes, pizza, oxford commas, and diet coke.

In 2017, I was a 24-year-old sitting in a cubicle when I stumbled across Adrian Ballinger and Cory Richards’ Everest No Filter climb on Snapchat. What started as curiosity about their storytelling turned into a quiet obsession with the mountain itself.

In 2025, I stood on top of Kilimanjaro—a dream realized, and the spark that reignited an even bigger one: Everest.

On that climb, our guides often said “Pole pole”—Swahili for “slowly, slowly.” It became my mantra. This journey isn’t about racing to the top, but about growing into the climber—and person—who truly belongs there.

The name TakingForEverest started as a joke about how long this will take. But it’s also about the process: one mountain, one skill, one paycheck at a time.

Want the full story?

The Road Ahead

If I’m going to climb, I want to be a competent member of a team, carrying my weight and knowing I’ve earned my place. Here’s how I plan to tackle it:

  • Learn the Basics → Kilimanjaro ✅, Ecuador volcanoes

  • Build Skills & Confidence → Bigger climbs, technical training

  • Test High-Altitude Expeditions → 8,000m peaks

  • The Big One: Everest → Slow, steady, deliberate

I’m sharing this journey because I believe in vulnerability , connection and authenticity.

Speaking my dreams out loud keeps me accountable—and maybe it gives someone else permission to believe in their big dream, too.

faqs

  • I’ve only just begun! I’ve summited Kilimanjaro and am currently training for my next big step: Mountaineering school in Ecuador.

  • Follow me on social media @takingforeverest and subscribe to my newsletter for updates on training, travels, and summits.

  • Share my story, send encouragement, or just keep following along—it means more than you know!

    Or, if you know anyone looking to sponsor an aspiring mountaineer, send them my way. 😉