Adventurer Lei Wang departs in less than 2 weeks to make an attempt on Everest. Born in Beijing, she says that she grew up as a typical city girl. She graduated with a B.S degree in Computer Science from Tsinghua University in Beijing followed by an M.S. degree in Computer Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After working in the IT field for several years, she decided to pursue her M.B.A. degree at Wharton. It was there that she was first introduced to ice climbing and mountaineering and climbed her first glacier mountain in Ecuador (Cotopaxi). Upon graduation, she traveled to Africa where she reached the summit of Kilimanjaro.

She begin pursuing her dream of the Seven Summits and Two Poles in 2004. She has successfully climbed six of the seven summits and has skied to both the North and South Poles. We caught up with Lei with just days before her departure and got the chance to interview her about her current and past expeditions along with her motivation and inspiration.

Lei on Vinson Summit, Antarctica

What made you decide to do this series of expeditions?

It’s funny how life drops a few curveballs into your lap. These coincidences are what make life interesting! If it wasn’t for me seeing the movies “Touching the Void”, or “Women of K2”, I would probably have never discovered my passion for adventures!!

Likewise, as part of a MBA school program at Wharton I was first introduced to ice climbing and mountaineering, and climbed my first glacier mountain, Cotopaxi in Ecuador. When I graduated, I decided to head out to Africa and climb Kilimanjaro.. It was during that climb, I realized how challenging it was for me and how my lack of fitness almost made me fail. I love challenges and overcoming them. Remembering what happened in the two movies, I realized that I wanted to be one of them. A spark was ignited, a passion to accomplish what had previously seemed invisible or impossible. Without knowing “how”, I decided I “would” and show the world that others can do it to.

What accomplishment in your athletic career are you most proud of?

I’ve never been an athlete prior to these climbs. So, I’d say that the overall athletic journey that I’m most proud of. Of course, Everest, as the highest mountain in the world, would be something I’d be really proud of!!!

What adventurer do you admire most? Who or what really inspires you?

Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton. I admire people who have a strong will to survive/overcome impossible. Such super-human spirit inspires me. In general, anyone who pushes past their limits to achieve their dreams, no matter how big.

What has been the most dangerous encounter you have had on your quests?

There are many moments that things could go wrong, such as climbing in total white out on Elbrus, descending in storm after a long day on Denali, crossing thin ice on the arctic, being sick on Vinson summit day… luckily, the guides and whole team all pulled together to prepare for the worst each time, and we all came out safely. I’m sure you’re very well aware how dangerous expedition climbing is. It’s not the actual climb, but the unknown factors such as weather, rockfalls, avalanches, altitude sickness that kills you.

Lei at the North Pole

Most outrageous moment?

There is always a lot of stress in each trip; There could be difficult political risk or team cooperation problems, but I don’t think anything is so outrageous. But, one thing that stands out, is being smuggled in to the Castensz pyramid after paying a hefty bribe money. You’ll find the story on my website http://www.leisventures.com/carstensz-pyramid.html

What do you hope people take away from your adventure/quest?

I really hope that by accomplishing this feat, people will be inspired, women and men alike, to adopt a more active and healthier lifestyle. I would especially like to see women everywhere cast off any self-imposed limits and pursue whatever dreams their hearts can imagine. I’ve known quite a few people who don’t want to do something because of fear, self imposed limits, or lack of resources. I want to tell them (and show them) you can do it too!!! I don’t believe that there are extraordinary supermen or women out there… I believe that there are big dreams and the willingness to go after it. It’s more of a mental attitude than anything else. You can find a way if the will is there!

What is a “day in the life of Lei” like while you are training? How many hours do you train?

Running in the morning
Then work on marketing/logistics/sponsorships/writing, email/phone/meet with various people,
Strength training in the afternoon
Attend networking/speaking events in the evening.

Spend 3-4 hours in training, if I can!!!

What does/has your training consisted of?

Thanks to my personal trainer Dave Memont of MyStrengthDiscovery, who gave me a comprehensive training program… I have to maintain my V02 max, and process oxygen more efficiently. So what he’s done is provide me with a lot of load bearing sprints, circuit training and functional training that uses the same muscles and movements that I will use in climbing.

Pulling a sled, sprints, kettlebell training, tire flipping, hill training and lots of running.

At the South Pole

Will you set any records after this race?

If successful, I would become the first Chinese woman, as well as the first Asian-American woman, to climb the highest mountain on every continent and to ski to both the North and South Poles, I’m not really thinking of it as a race. Setting records is not the purpose. There have been a lot of people who have achieved what I’m trying to do. There even is a teenage boy who this year has climbed all seven mountains! How I measure success is how many people use my actions as a role model for creating positive change in their lives.

Any part of this trek you particularly dread?

There’re a lot of dangerous sections, such as Kumbu ice fall, and various rock band, rocky steps high up. I will take every part seriously.

How important is the fundraising part of the process?

Funding is the most stressful part of the preparation. I need funding to pay for the trip, buy equipment, travel. I’ve been working with various sponsors in creating a marketing plan, and helping promote their brands. There will be areas where I have to goto tradeshows, be on site on behalf of sponsors…. As an added note, I am looking for title sponsors in a mutual beneficial partnership.

Do you have any advice for other adventurers who want to take on an epic journey like this?

Plan, Plan, Plan!!!! Know your costs. Know your resources… and also network. Find the people who can help you if you can’t do this on your own. Do thorough research, collect advice from all sources. Training is a small part of it and is much easier than the fundraising.

When do you depart?

March 20th, 2010

Estimated summit date?

Around May 20th, 2010

Hardest Challenge to date? Most memorable?

Each new mountain offered their own challenges. I respect all of them. Every new step I took was one harder than before, and every step is memorable: pulling the sled in harsh cold desert of Antarctica, the three attempts on Aconcagua, the sick/painful summit on Mt Vinson …

Climbing a mountain like Everest is expensive…how have you worked to finance such an expedition?

My fiscal sponsor, SOLO Foundation, made this trip possible. Personally, I used all savings, borrowed money via loans/credit cards and private donations from friends. I carefully managed cash flows and focused all resource on climbing. Everything is self funded from work and such. I also have my sponsors to thank for their generous support in helping making a lot of my climbs possible!!

We look forward to following along as the Everest season gets under way and we wish Lei much success in her attempt.