Dr. Ken Kamler Remembers 1996 Everest Disaster

Kenneth Kamler

Kenneth "Ken" Kamler is a microsurgeon and mountain climber. Kamler was chosen by New York Magazine as one of New York City's best doctors in 2002. He is a microsurgeon trained at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center who also practices extreme medicine in the most remote corners of the world. He has served as chief high altitude physician for the NASA-sponsored research in human physiological responses to extreme altitude. As covered in the book Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer, in May 1996, Kamler was at Camp III on Mount Everest preparing for a summit attempt when a ferocious storm engulfed three teams of climbers returning from the peak. As the only doctor on the mountain when the storm hit, he treated the survivors as they descended from Camp IV. A climber and doctor on many Everest expeditions, he has worked with National Geographic to carry out geological research and precision mapping using laser telescopes and global positioning satellite beacons. He appeared on ABC's Nightline in the first-ever live interview from Everest base camp. and has appeared many times on national television. Kamler lives in the New York City area. He is also very active in promoting Scouting in New York and currently serves as the Boy Scouts of America Founders District Chairman in Queens, NY. At the 2005 National Scout Jamboree a subcamp was named after him. Kamler is the author of Doctor on Everest and most recently, Surviving the Extremes: A Doctor's Journey to the Limits of Human Endurance. He also currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors and was previously former Vice President of the Explorers Club.