UNL Alum Summits Everest Twice in One Year
Griffin Mims, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate, reached the top of Mount Everest twice in the past year, climbing from the north side in Tibet.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Adventure Travel
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Griffin Mims, international client manager at Alpenglow Expeditions and a University of Nebraska-Lincoln alum, summited Mount Everest twice in the past year. He chose the north side in Tibet over the more crowded south side, where fewer than 200 climbers were present.
Why it matters
Mims's climbs reflect a decade of technical training and altitude experience built across 11 international expeditions since 2018. His account offers Lincoln residents a firsthand look at the demands of high-altitude mountaineering.
Mims spent 35 days on the mountain during the Ama Dablam expedition and skipped two of the four camps above 21,000 feet during his Everest ascent. Fewer than 200 climbers were on the north side, while the south side can host up to 1,300 people.
The players
Griffin Mims
Griffin Mims is an international client manager at Alpenglow Expeditions and a University of Nebraska-Lincoln alum who has completed 11 international expeditions since 2018.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a public research university in Lincoln, Nebraska, hosting the upcoming talk through its Outdoor Adventure Center.
The details
Mims spent ten years building technical skills and altitude experience before attempting Everest. He summited from the north side in Tibet and stood alone on the summit for almost an hour with his Alpenglow team.
Timeline
2015: Mims began dreaming of climbing Everest.
2018: Mims began international expeditions, totaling 11 since.
Past year: Mims summited Everest twice.
Nov. 6, 6 p.m.: Mims speaks at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln about his Everest journey in Swanson Auditorium.
Travel Outlook
Mims's choice of the less-traveled north side reflects a broader shift among climbers seeking to avoid the congestion that has defined the south side's peak season. His route illustrates how route selection now shapes both safety and the climbing experience on Everest.
Lincoln residents interested in high-altitude climbing can attend Mims's free talk on Nov. 6 to learn about the logistics of an Everest expedition. The event offers a practical look at the training and planning required for climbs of this scale.
The takeaway
Preparation over years, not weeks, separates successful high-altitude climbers from the rest. Choosing a less crowded route can also make a major difference in both safety and experience.
What happens next
Mims will speak at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. in Swanson Auditorium.
Further reading
Explore more Adventure Travel stories from the Lincoln area.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Nebraskan.
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