Mike Libecki does what others have never done. Explores where others have never explored. And climbs where no others have climbed. On this extraordinary journey to a 1,230-meter peak on Ua Pou, he took tough to new heights with his OPPO smartphone, featuring Corning® Gorilla® Glass.
Mike Libecki has a rare and unusual condition. He calls it, “Obsessive Expedition Climbing Disorder.” What started with a passion rock climbing, led to ascents up Yosemite’s famed and feared El Capitan and Half Dome. Not content with these traditional climbing routes, he set his sights on exploring the Earth’s untouched places — making first ascents by taking routes and going to the tops of mountains no one had climbed before.
To date, his explorations have taken him to the most remote corners of the earth, in more than 100 countries, on all seven continents. This climber turned adventurer was named one of National Geographic’s Adventurers of the Year in 2013. On this most recent adventure, Mike packed his gear and set off for Ua Pou, the third largest of the Marquesas Islands, in French Polynesia. At the center of the island are four high basalt pillars that reach high above the surrounding mountains. No one had ever ascended the pillars, and Mike was going to be the first.
While his meticulous preparation, skills, and climbing gear were essential to his safety, his OPPO smartphone with Corning® Gorilla® Glass was along for the expedition to capture scientific research, provide navigation, operate his drone and, most importantly, keep him connected with his family back in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Highlights
Packing
Packing
Mike is quick to point out that packing for an expedition is the most important part of any expedition. Everything that goes into each single bag must be documented. Upon arrival on the Island — everything is re-packed one final time.
Mike is quick to point out that packing for an expedition is the most important part of any expedition. Everything that goes into each single bag must be documented. Upon arrival on the Island — everything is re-packed one final time.
Ua Pou
Ua Pou
Ua Pou is the third largest of the Marquesas Islands, in French Polynesia. At the center of this remote island are four high basalt pillars that reach high above surrounding mountains. The highest of these pillars reaches to 1,230 m (4,040 ft.) above sea level.
Ua Pou is the third largest of the Marquesas Islands, in French Polynesia. At the center of this remote island are four high basalt pillars that reach high above surrounding mountains. The highest of these pillars reaches to 1,230 m (4,040 ft.) above sea level.
The Locals
The Locals
“Every trip I learn something new. And if there’s one thing that’s consistent — the nucleus of these expeditions here generally are the local people. It really comes down to that team.”
“Every trip I learn something new. And if there’s one thing that’s consistent — the nucleus of these expeditions here generally are the local people. It really comes down to that team.”
Success
Success
Faced with rock fall on his ascent, Mike Libecki did not finish his climb. In his own words, “Honestly, I just think that this is crossing the line of too dangerous right here and that’s a hard conclusion, man. But it’s real. Over 70 expeditions now — my two closest calls, where I stared death in the eyes, was rock fall. And crossing into ‘too dangerous’ is one of the areas I don’t want to get back to in my life. Sometimes success is walking away alive.”
Faced with rock fall on his ascent, Mike Libecki did not finish his climb. In his own words, “Honestly, I just think that this is crossing the line of too dangerous right here and that’s a hard conclusion, man. But it’s real. Over 70 expeditions now — my two closest calls, where I stared death in the eyes, was rock fall. And crossing into ‘too dangerous’ is one of the areas I don’t want to get back to in my life. Sometimes success is walking away alive.”