Bio: Al Hancock
Originally from Stephenville, Newfoundland, I moved to Northern Alberta at the age of 18 looking for opportunities in the oil sands. I have always enjoyed athletics and as a young man began competing in bodybuilding. Within 10 years I was a provincial champion and had competed nationally and even represented Canada in international bodybuilding competitions.
Wanting a new and exciting challenge, I began rock, ice, alpine and expedition climbing 10 years ago after taking a few climbing coarses. A few years later, I began to set my sights on the ultimate challenge for high altitude climbers, climbing the highest mountain on each of the world's 7 continents (know as the Seven Summits). In 2003 I completed the first of my Seven Summits, Mount Denali in Alaska. Fast forward 5 years, I became the 13th Canadian to have climbed all seven summits (202nd worldwide).
- Mount Denali (McKinley), Alaska - 2003
- Mount Elbrus, Russia - 2005
- Mount Aconcaqua, Argentina - 2006
- Mount Everest (highest mountain in the world), Nepal/Tibet - 2007
- Mount Kosciuszko, Australia - 2007
- Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa - 2008
- Mount Vinson Massif, Antarctica - 2008
In total, I have completed well over 20 difficult, expedition-style summits, many with substantial vertical ice and rock sections.