Volcano climber David Roskelley visits USU leadership students

David Roskelley, the first American to climb the seven volcanic summits, recently visited USU’s Covey Leadership Center on March 28 for the Principles-in-Practice Workshop Series. 

The seven volcanic summits are the highest volcanoes on each continent. Prior to this feat, Roskelley completed the seven summits: the highest mountain on each continent.  

“My wife jokes I was born in the wrong century,” Roskelley said. “I just love exploring and doing new things, finding new places that speak to me.” 

In December, Roskelley also skied the last degree of the South Pole. 

“The last degree is from the 89th parallel to the 90th,” Roskelley said. “90 south is the South Pole, and 90 north is North Pole, and a degree is about 67 miles.” 

The weather averaged -15 degrees, and Roskelley said he was outside the entire time. 

“I won the genetic lottery as far as the cold is concerned,” Roskelley said. “I don’t usually get cold.” 

People interested in skiing the last degree are put into international groups of about 15 or 16 people. 

“It’s just a melting pot of skiers, so it was a really fascinating experience,” Roskelley said. “We kind of had to get to know everybody, working with different personalities and teamwork.” 

Roskelley said he intends to ski the last degree of the North Pole too. When people complete both of the last degrees and the seven summits, they achieve the Explorer’s Grand Slam.

“I’ve also done the volcanoes, so I guess that now you say it would be the Explorer’s Volcanic Grand Slam,” Roskelley said. “I would be the first American to get it.” 

This is Roskelley’s current goal. When he came to talk to USU students, he spoke about setting and maintaining goals. 

“I’m big on setting goals; I’m always trying to work toward something,” Roskelley said. “If you don’t, you’re just kind of floating. You’re just letting the world take you in different directions.” 

Roskelley said his wife is an important person in helping him achieve his goals, and he said having a support system behind personal goals can be helpful. 

“If you’re going to set some goals, put them out there. Share them with somebody significant in your life, because you’re much more likely to accomplish them,” Roskelley said. “Once you throw it out into the universe, now you’ve got to do it.” 

Tyler Roberts, a sophomore studying finance and a Covey Leadership Fellow, helped set up the event with Roskelley.  

According to Roberts, they asked Roskelley to speak because he had done it before, and his example of goal-setting and entrepreneurship was very helpful for students.  

“It was really good for me and for all of us students to listen to him talk about his mountain climbing, his business and his family life,” Roberts said. “It was so inspiring, and we’d love to have him back again.” 

Roberts said his biggest takeaway from the event was how important it is to be genuine. 

“He’s a very successful world renowned speaker, and here he is at Utah State,” Roberts said. “He and his wife both took the time to connect with individual students.” 

According to Roberts, being authentic is a good quality in a person, especially in the business world where this may be hard to come by. 

“We get a lot of very successful people that come and speak, and they’re busy,” Roberts said. “Roskelley and his wife, they were so present and they let us ask them a million questions about their life and what they’ve learned.”

Roskelley said his affiliation with the Covey Leadership Center and the Huntsman School of Business inspired him to take a “Dare Mighty Things” banner with him to the South Pole. 

“One of the themes at the Huntsman is ‘Dare Mighty Things,’” Roskelley said. “In the South Pole, you have to pull everything you take in a sled, but the banner was luckily lightweight.” 

Although the leadership center is physically located in the Huntsman, Roberts said the organization is not just for business students.  

“This is a resource and a community that’s for everyone campus-wide,” Roberts said. “It’s for anyone from another school who wants to be a better version of themselves and become a principled-centered leader.” 

For more information on David Roskelley, visit davidroskelley.com.  

For more information on the Covey Leadership Center, visit huntsman.usu.edu/leadership. 

“Anyone who’s interested in improving themselves and becoming a leader in their own lives, come and participate in our events,” Roberts said. “All are welcome.”