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Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Bryan Osoro is a member of the Utah Basque Club and former Utah-ko Triskalariak Basque dancer. He loves mountains and climbing. Last Sunday he climbed Everest, making the ascent the seventh and last one in his goal of climbing the seven highest peaks in the world.  This interview was conducted by satellite phone.

Joseba Etxarri.  He has been a member of the Utah Basque Club for as long as he remembers. Originally from Salt lake, his roots in the Basque Country are in Ispaster and Ajangiz. He reached the Summit of Everest last Sunday, adding this to his six previous ascensions of the highest peaks on five continents.  Asking about this, he says that these type of endeavors always involve ego, “although this is not necessarily a bad thing. If kept in check and acknowledged, it can be a valuable incentive and spur you towards your goals.”  In his case, it has been for sure a loyal ally on his journey to the literal top of the world, after having previously climbed, in eight years, Aconcagua, Denalí, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Vinson and Kosciuszko.

Zorionak, congratulations, tell me what it was like, what it felt like.

-There are no words.  I have wanted to climb Everest for many years.  The more I read about it, the more I was attracted to it.  I wanted to climb its north face, because of the stories of the attempts by George Mallory, and the fact that there are fewer expeditions that climb from there.  I am really nothing more than a fan of alpinism that perseveres in this hobby and who, eight years ago, embarked on this adventure after having climbed many volcanic glaciers in the state of Washington and the mountains around Utah. It has been a joint effort since I was part of a solid group of companions.  It was very exciting.  On the final stage, we left camp 3, at 8,300 meters, and with unbelievable weather we were able to reach the summit in 4 hours and 45 minutes.  It was still dark and just before dawn.  We were able to enjoy the view during our descent.  It was as incredible as you can imagine. 

It was the summit of Everest, but also the seventh summit of this ambitious project.

-The final chapter of the search for the seven highest summits on each continent.  It took eight years of successes and failures, of perseverance and growth; also personal, physical and psychic self-assessment in many facets; and learning to balance ambition and reasonable risk.  When I started, I assumed that it would depend on my physical ability to face a tough challenge.  But it soon dawned on me that the challenge was mental; which of course, the better shape you are in, the better, but the challenges came in the most unimaginable aspects from dealing with loneliness, or fighting illness and disease, to working on interpersonal problems or facing my own insecurities.  It was without a doubt a journey of self-discovery and evolution.

You friends at the Utah Basque club were very happy and spread the news right away.

-They are like family.  I have been part of the Utah Basque Club for as long as I can remember.  When I was very young, I danced with the Uta-ko Triskalariak and I have also helped to cook at Basque Clun events for over fifteen years.  My father was also born in the Diaspora, but has maintained ties with the Basque Country.  Our family is from Ispaster and Ajangiz, and we currently have relatives in Gernika and Lekeitio. whom we visit every three years or so.

Why did you carry the ikurrina (Basque flag) the summit?  Did you dedicate this climb to anyone in particular?

-Because it was a flag that my father had made for me before I left. Being a part of the Basque community has always been very important to me and I want Basque culture to continue to be a big part of my life.  On the other hand, I dedicate my climbs to my wife, and my extended Basque family.  They are the people who help and support me and who make me who I am.