WEA Paul Petzoldt Leadership Award Winner 2007

Phil Powers is Executive Director of the American Alpine Club (AAC).  His extensive experience in the field of outdoor leadership includes seventeen-years as a course leader, chief mountaineering instructor and development/partnerships director with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).  While at NOLS, Powers taught outdoor skills within the basic framework and pedagogy developed by Paul Petzoldt.  Powers has led dozens of expeditions to South America, Alaska and Pakistan’s Karakoram Range, including ascents of K2 and Gasherbrum II without supplemental oxygen. He made the first ascent of the Washburn Face on Denali and named it in honor of longtime AAC member Bradford Washburn, whose photos contributed significantly to the planning and route research of Powers’ many Alaska climbs. Powers also made the first ascent of Lukpilla Brakk’s Western Edge in Pakistan and the first winter traverse of the Tetons’ Cathedral Peaks.  Powers is author of two books: Winter Mountaineering and Climbing: Expedition Planning.