EMILY HARRINGTON

Emily Harrington, Truckee, is one of the most successful and versatile professional climbers in the world. She also has inspired countless thousands through appearances on national television shows and national media, where she shared her story of overcoming hardship with the support of her dad, and then bonding amid the outdoor experience.

This past November, Harrington became the first woman to free climb ‘Golden Gate’ on El Capitan in under 24 hours, making her the 4th woman in history to free climb El Capitan in a day. If elected, she would be the second Hall of Fame member to have summited Mt. Everest. She’s a five-time US National Champion, has completed numerous first female ascents of 5.14 routes, and made a complete ski descent of Cho Oyu - the world’s 6th tallest peak. 

She also gained national attention that has inspired families across America. After she had a near-death fall at El Capitan, and her father, Tim, 64, faced high-altitude edema issues, the father-daughter team supported each other to climb 18,996-foot Mount Cayambe in Ecuador. The story landed them on television shows across America and inspired parent-child connections in the outdoors to bond and move forward under hardship.

Emily called this her greatest personal victory: Surviving the fall at El Capitan and then climbing Cayambe with her dad. “We’ll always be connected for life.”

Emily satisfies the two requirements of all Hall of Fame members: A paramount scope of adventure – she is among the world’s preeminent climbers; and has inspired thousands to take part in the outdoor experience, especially parents and their children.