Kenton Cool facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kenton Cool
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Kenton Cool
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| Born | 30 July 1973 Slough, Buckinghamshire, England
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| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | University of Leeds |
| Occupation | Mountain guide Motivational speaker |
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| Spouse(s) | Jasmine Black |
| Children | 2 |
Kenton Edward Cool (born on July 30, 1973) is a famous English climber and mountain guide. He is known as one of Britain's best high-altitude climbers. Kenton has reached the top of Mount Everest an amazing 19 times. This is more than any other non-Nepali climber! He even led famous explorer Ranulph Fiennes on his Everest trips in 2008 and 2009.
Kenton has completed over 45 expeditions in the world's biggest mountain ranges. In 2013, he became the first person to climb three huge mountains – Nuptse, Everest, and Lhotse – all in one go. He did this without returning to base camp, which is a very difficult challenge!
Contents
Kenton Cool's Life Story
Early Life and Education
Kenton Cool was born in Slough, England, in 1973. His family's original name was Kuhle, but it was changed during the Second World War. His dad was a photographer, and his mom was a florist. Kenton went to John Hampden Grammar School and later studied Geological Sciences at the University of Leeds. He graduated from university in 1994.
How He Started Climbing
Kenton first learned about mountaineering when he was a Scout. He became very interested in rock climbing while at Leeds University. After graduating, he moved to Sheffield to climb even more.
In 1996, Kenton had a bad fall from a rock face in north Wales. He broke both of his heel bones. Doctors told him he might need a stick to walk for the rest of his life. But Kenton was determined to climb again. After a year of surgeries and therapy, he worked hard to get back in shape. He then joined the British Association of Mountain Guides program.
Becoming a Mountain Guide
When he was in his twenties, Kenton didn't want to be a guide at first. He worked on tall buildings, using ropes to access different parts. Later, he started guiding for a company called Jagged Globe. He then helped start his own adventure company, 'Adventure Base', which is now a well-known company for trips around the world.
Kenton Cool got married in 2008. He now lives in the village of Bibury in Gloucestershire, UK. He is a fully qualified IFMGA (UIAGM) Guide and Expedition Leader. This means he can lead climbing trips in the Alps and the huge Himalayas.
Kenton knows that mountaineering can be dangerous. He has lost many friends in the sport. He once said that he wants to "die with my feet up in front of the fire drinking a glass of red wine aged about 95." This shows he wants to live a long life and not take unnecessary risks.
In 2003, Kenton was nominated for the Piolet d'Or award. This is a very important award in climbing. He was recognized for a difficult route he climbed on Annapurna III. In 2012, he took one of the 1924 Olympic Gold Medals to the top of Everest. These medals were given to the 1922 British Everest Expedition for their "Outstanding feats of human endeavour." Lord Coe thanked Kenton for helping to "kick start the 2012 Olympic Games."
The University of Leeds gave Kenton Cool an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in July 2018.
Amazing Climbing Expeditions
Kenton Cool is known as one of the UK's best leaders for mountain and ski expeditions. He has led many difficult climbs with his clients. For example, in 2007, he led the first British guided climb of the north face of the Eiger. His client was the polar explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, who was in his sixties and was initially afraid of heights!
In May 2008, Kenton and Fiennes tried to reach the top of Mount Everest. Fiennes had to turn back close to the summit. But in 2009, Kenton returned to Everest and successfully led Fiennes to the very top. This made Kenton the most successful British Expedition Leader on the mountain.
In May 2013, Kenton and his climbing partner Dorje Gylgen achieved the "Everest Triple Crown." In just seven days, and without going back to Base Camp, he climbed three mountains: Nuptse (7,864 meters), Everest (8,850 meters), and Lhotse (8,516 meters). Many people thought this was impossible because of how much time he spent at very high altitudes.
As an Expedition Leader, Kenton Cool has completed over 40 successful trips in the world's highest mountain ranges. He has the highest success rate of any mountain guide on Everest. He has personally reached the summit of Everest 19 times. In May 2007, he even reached the top twice in just one week!
In October 2006, he became the first British person to ski down an 8,000-meter peak. This was on Cho Oyu in Nepal, which is the 6th highest mountain in the world. In autumn 2010, Kenton made the third-ever ski descent of Manaslu in Nepal, the world's 8th highest mountain. By doing this, he became one of only a few people worldwide to ski down multiple 8000 metre peaks.
In January 2015, Kenton reached the summit of Everest for the 11th time. At the top, he held a flag for the Principality of Sealand. This showed his support for the small micronation.
On May 12, 2016, Kenton, who was 42, reached the summit of Everest with two Sherpas and another Briton, Robert Lucas. They were the first foreign climbers to reach the 8,850-meter peak in two years. On May 15, 2022, Kenton Cool achieved his record-breaking 16th Everest summit. This was the most climbs by any non-Sherpa. Kenton was wearing a special hand-painted helmet by artist Teddy McDonald.
Kenton Cool broke his own Mount Everest record three more times. He reached the summit in May 2023, May 2024, and most recently on May 18, 2025. This last climb was his 19th time reaching the top!
Kenton Cool on TV
In 2007, during his Eiger expedition, Kenton helped with a live TV broadcast. He, Fiennes, and Parnell were able to talk live from the mountain face to the ITN News studio. Their climb was shown on the news for five days. A one-hour documentary about their successful climb was also shown on BBC Four and The Discovery Channel.
For his 2007 Everest expedition, Kenton also filmed for a five-part BBC Television documentary called Everest ER. He gave many interviews for the show. He also used special high-altitude cameras to film footage high on the mountain, including from the summit. Everest ER followed Kenton's expedition, including his amazing double summit in one week. The show was on BBC1 for five weeks.
Helping Others
In March 2007, Kenton was part of a team that raised money for the Marie Curie Eiger Challenge Appeal. With Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Ian Parnell, he successfully climbed the north face of the Eiger. This raised £1.8 million for the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity. In May 2009, Kenton and Fiennes raised another £2.6 million for the charity with the Everest Challenge Appeal. Kenton even unfurled a Marie Curie flag on Everest's summit.
Kenton often gives talks for the Royal Geographical Society and other outdoor companies. He also gives speeches at business events. At these events, he strongly supports Porters Progress. This foundation helps mountain porters in Nepal. Porters Progress is now part of the dZi Foundation.
Personal Life
In 2008, Kenton Cool married Jazz Black. They met in Chamonix, France. They got married in Fairford, Gloucestershire, and have lived there and in Bibury, also in Gloucestershire. They have two children.
Kenton Cool's Everest Summits
- May 15, 2004
- May 31, 2005
- May 17, 2006
- May 17, 2007
- May 24, 2007
- May 24, 2008
- May 21, 2009
- May 17, 2010
- May 6, 2011
- May 25, 2012
- May 19, 2013
- May 12, 2016
- May 16, 2018
- May 16, 2019
- May 11, 2021
- May 14 or 15, 2022
- May 17, 2023
- May 12, 2024
- May 18, 2025
Other 8,000-Meter Peaks Climbed
Images for kids
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Kenton Cool
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Cool with the flag of the Principality of Sealand at the peak of Mount Everest in 2015
See Also
- List of Mount Everest summiters by number of times to the summit
