Russell Reginald Brice, born on July 3, 1952, is a distinguished New Zealand mountaineer renowned for his extensive experience in high-altitude climbing. As the founder and manager of Himalayan Experience Ltd. (Himex), Brice has led numerous expeditions to some of the world’s highest peaks. He has successfully summited Cho Oyu seven times, and has reached the peaks of Himal Chuli and Mount Everest twice, with his milestone of climbing Manaslu in October 2010 marking his 14th ascent of an 8000-meter mountain.
Brice's journey in mountaineering began in 1974 when he joined Edmund Hillary's Himalayan Trust, leading to his first Everest attempt in 1981. He made a historic ascent in 1988 as one of the first climbers to conquer The Three Pinnacles on Everest's Northeast Ridge. His summits of Everest occurred on May 29, 1997, and again on May 25, 1998.
He gained widespread recognition for leading expeditions featured in the Discovery Channel series "Everest: Beyond the Limit," which aired in 2006, 2007, and 2009. The series highlighted Brice’s expertise and decision-making skills, although it also placed him at the center of a controversy regarding the death of climber David Sharp.
In 2012, Brice made headlines when he withdrew his team from Everest due to safety concerns, a decision that drew mixed reactions. His involvement in the climbing community extended to mediating disputes between Sherpas and climbers during the 2013 season.
Brice has also contributed to various film projects, serving as location manager for "The Wildest Dream" (2010) and playing a significant role in the documentary "Sherpa" (2015), which addressed the tragic 2014 Everest avalanche. Additionally, he previously owned Chamonix Experience in the French Alps and Mountain Experience in Nepal
