A passion for climbing

Clay Gilliland’s passion for mountain climbing has taken him far and wide – and high, from California to Colorado, Alaska to Africa. Much like managing wealth, mountain climbing involves a steady and measured push forward, navigating the path toward a clearly defined goal, being ever vigilant of risks and planning for the unexpected. It can be, simultaneously, both physically challenging and emotionally exhilarating. Clay shares his passion and his photos here.

Mountains Clay has climbed

  • Mt. McKinley (Denali); Alaska
  • Mt. Kilimanjaro; Africa
  • Mt. Rainier; Washington (six times, different routes)
  • Mt. Whitney; California (two times)
  • Ixtapa and Orizaba; Mexico
  • Mt. Hood; Oregon
  • Mt. Shasta; California
  • Several of Colorado’s “14ers” (mountain peaks that exceed 14,000 feet)
  • Mt. Elbert; Colorado (climbed with his daughter in the summer of 2015)
“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.”
– Sir Edmund Hillary
“Great things are done when men and mountains meet.”
– William Blake
“One does not climb to attain enlightenment, rather one climbs because he is enlightened.”
– Zen Master Futomaki