Andrew Katz ’13 fulfilled a lifelong dream when he reached the summit of Mount Everest on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 6:23 a.m., as the youngest member of an international team. The 47-day ascent tested his limits as he overcame severe adversity to stand atop the world’s highest peak.

The dream began in Gilman’s second grade, when a science lesson on tectonic plates and mountain formation first sparked his fascination with Everest — a vision he never lost relinquished.

Katz drew upon a reservoir of transformative experiences — his Gilman education included — to train for and master the grueling climb. Exceptional challenges became progressively more arduous as he and his comrades neared the summit. In reflecting on the accomplishment, Katz offered a sagacious summary:

"Unlike marathons or triathlons I have completed before, it was not the physical training that earned me a place on one of the least visited ledges on Earth. It was the collection of life — the successes and failures, the highs and lows — that prepared me to meet Everest’s unpredictable nature with clarity and composure."

Read more in his LinkedIn post