{{Short description|American mountaineer}} thumb|Matthew Moniz in June 2015
'''Matt Moniz''' (born February 1998) is an American mountaineer and speaker noted for his ascents of 8,000 meter peaks and several of the Seven Summits.
==Early climbs== In 2007, Moniz climbed to the Mount Everest Base Camp. It was Moniz's first experience with hiking and scaling a mountain. In 2008, following the Nepal trek Moniz summited Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe. Moniz then climbed to the summit of Kilimanjaro with his twin sister Kaylee at the age of 10, accompanied by their parents. He also climbed to the summit of Aconcagua, the highest summit in the Americas.<ref name=Bradley>{{cite web |url=http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/adventurers-of-the-year/matt-moniz-2010/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211053623/http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/adventurers-of-the-year/matt-moniz-2010 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 11, 2010 |title=Kid Climber: Matt Moniz climbed to the highest point in all 50 United States in just 43 days |author=Ryan Bradley |access-date=April 10, 2013 |year=2010 |publisher=National Geographic Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.denverpost.com/hiking/ci_9782956 |publisher=Denver Post |title=Twins conquer one of world's highest peaks |date=July 4, 2008 |author=Brian Malnes}}</ref> He was the youngest person to ever reach the summit.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailycamera.com/archivesearch/ci_13110945 |title=10-year-old's ascent breaks age record |author=Ryan Morgan |access-date=April 25, 2013 |date=January 11, 2009 |publisher=Daily Camera}}</ref>
In 2009, Moniz began climbing to raise money for a friend who suffers from Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). He started with a campaign to climb 14 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks in 14 days<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5149395n&tag=api |publisher=CBS |access-date=April 10, 2013 |title=A Higher Calling}}</ref> and completed the task in only eight days. In total he was able to raise over $20,000. This accomplishment was entered into the Congressional Record during a session of the United States Congress on December 11, 2009, by US Congressman Jim Langevin.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r111:H11DE9-0036:/ |title=CEREAL NIGHT AND RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF PAH AWARENESS – (House of Representatives - December 11, 2009) |date=December 11, 2009 |access-date=April 10, 2013 |publisher=United States Congress }}{{Dead link|date=August 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
In August 2011, Moniz completed a triple climb in Bolivia, summiting Illimani ({{convert|21,122|ft|m|abbr=on|disp=semicolon}}), Huayna Potosi ({{convert|19,974|ft|m|abbr=on|disp=semicolon}}) and Pequeno Alpamayo ({{convert|17,618|ft|m|abbr=on|disp=semicolon}}) with his father.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://travelbiznews.com/boulder-father-and-son-climbing-team-heads-to-nepal/ | title=Father- son team heads to Nepal - TravelBizNews | date=9 March 2012 }}</ref>
thumb|Matt Moniz on Bolivia's 21,122 ft Illimani in August 2011
==50 peaks in 43 days== Moniz was named a 2010 Adventurer of the Year by ''National Geographic Magazine'', after summiting the highest points in all 50 US states in only 43 days, at the age of 12. It was the fastest time in which the achievement had ever been done (a record he holds with his father Michael Moniz),<ref name=Bradley /> with an exact time of 43 days, 3 hours, 51 minutes and 9 seconds.<ref name=Fields>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailycamera.com/news/ci_16801858 |title=Boulder's Matt Moniz, 12, one of National Geographic's Adventurers of the Year |author=Jenn Fields |access-date=April 10, 2013 |date=December 7, 2010 |publisher=Daily Camera |archive-date=November 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108112936/http://www.dailycamera.com/news/ci_16801858 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2010/07/29/video-mauna-kea-weekly-report-50-in-50-in-50/ |title=VIDEO: Mauna Kea weekly report – 50 in 50 in 50 |date=July 29, 2010 |access-date=April 10, 2013 |publisher=Big Island Video News}}</ref> Moniz is also the youngest climber to reach all 50 high points<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.coloradodaily.com/outdoor-recreation/ci_15571657#axzz2Q5nUoGw8 |title=Boulder 12-year-old Matt Moniz, father Michael Moniz break speed record for states' high points |access-date=April 10, 2013 |date=July 21, 2010 |publisher=Colorado Daily |author=Jenn Fields}}</ref> and the youngest recipient of an Adventurer of the Year award.<ref name=Fields /> Moniz authored ''High Points'', a Ladders Reading/Language Arts 4 book with National Geographic Learning on his 50 high points accomplishment.<ref>{{cite book|title=National Geographic ladders : common core readers.|date=2013|publisher=National Geographic Learning|location=[United States]|isbn=9780736293297}}</ref> Moniz has made presentations to organizations including the Business Innovation Factory<ref>{{cite web |url=http://businessinnovationfactory.com/iss/video/bif7-matthew-moniz |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224234817/http://businessinnovationfactory.com/iss/video/bif7-matthew-moniz |url-status=usurped |archive-date=February 24, 2012 |title=Matthew Moniz: Standing in a Sea of Clouds |access-date=April 10, 2013}}</ref> and for a crowd of more than 25,000 in New York's Central Park on behalf of the organization Outdoor Nation.<ref name=Fields />
==''Pushing Above the High Point''== Moniz was the focus of the 2011 short documentary ''[https://vimeo.com/20440052 Pushing Above the Highpoint']', ''about his attempt to climb to the highpoint of every state in less than 50 days to raise awareness for PAH.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2025647/ |title=Pushing Above the Highpoint (2011) |website=IMDb |access-date=April 10, 2013}}</ref> The film was the winner of the 2012 Seven Summits award at the Mountain Film Awards, the second place Short Documentary winner at the All Sports Los Angeles Film Festival and an official selection at the Vail Film Festival, Frozen River Film Festival, and Arnold Sports Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mammothfilm.com/Default.aspx?TabId=461&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1 |title=2012 Best of Category Award Winners |access-date=April 10, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=LA Film Festival|first1=All Sports|title=2011 Festival Winners|url=http://allsportslafilmfest.com/2011-festival-winners/|website=allsportslafilmfest.com|access-date=1 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Thomas|first1=Ben|title=Pushing Above the Highpoint|url=https://vimeo.com/20440052|website=vimeo.com|access-date=1 September 2015|date=2011-02-27}}</ref>
==8,000 meter peaks== In 2014 Moniz's father, Michael Moniz, announced a spring expedition to attempt back-to-back-to-back summits of three 8,000-meter peaks, Cho Oyu, Mount Everest, and Lhotse, in less than 15 days.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Moye|first1=Jayme|title=A Teen Prepares to Take On the Himalayan Triple 8|url=http://www.mensjournal.com/adventure/outdoor/a-teens-prepares-to-take-on-the-himalayan-triple-8-20140313|website=mensjournal.com|publisher=Men's Journal|access-date=27 October 2014|date=2014-03-13}}</ref> The expedition was dubbed "The Triple 8" and the team originally planned a first-ever ski descent of the Lhotse Couloir. The team was on Cho Oyu during the 16 April avalanche on Mount Everest<ref>{{cite web|last1=Moye|first1=Jayme|title=The Moniz Expedition Reports from Nepal|url=http://www.mensjournal.com/adventure/outdoor/the-moniz-expedition-reports-from-nepal-20140421|website=www.mensjournal.com|publisher=Men's Journal|access-date=27 October 2014|date=2014-04-21}}</ref> and, out of respect for the Sherpas who lost their lives, reevaluated their plans. On 17 May Moniz successfully summited Cho Oyu.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pokhrel|first1=Rajan|title=16yo Matt ascends Mt Makalu a week after Cho Oyu Feat|url=http://thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=16yo+Matt+ascends+Mt+Makalu+a+week+after+Cho-Oyu+feat&NewsID=415979|access-date=27 October 2014|work=The Himalayan|agency=THT Online|date=25 May 2014}}</ref> On 24 May 2014, Moniz, his climbing partner Willie Benegas and a small team of Sherpas successfully summited Makalu<ref>{{cite web|last1=Moye|first1=Jayme|title=Matt Moniz, 16, Summits Back-to-Back 8,000 Meter Peaks|url=http://www.mensjournal.com/travel/mountain-wilderness/matt-moniz-16-summits-back-to-back-8-000-meter-peaks-20140602|website=www.mensjournal.com|publisher=Men's Journal|access-date=27 October 2014|date=2014-06-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Lindenberger|first1=Hudson|title=Climbing Over Obstacles - Summiting 8000 Meter Peaks the Hard Way|url=http://www.elevationoutdoors.com/climbing-obstacles/|website=www.elevationoutdoors.com|publisher=Elevation Outdoors Magazine|access-date=27 October 2014|date=2014-05-23}}</ref> Moniz is the 14th American and youngest climber to summit Makalu.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Moye|first1=Jayme|title=Matt Moniz, 16, Summits Back-to-Back 8,000-Meter Peaks|url=http://www.mensjournal.com/travel/mountain-wilderness/matt-moniz-16-summits-back-to-back-8-000-meter-peaks-20140602|website=www.mensjournal.com|publisher=Men's Journal|access-date=28 October 2014|date=2014-06-02}}</ref>
==2015 Everest Expedition and avalanche== thumbnail|left|For his actions in Nepal, Moniz received the Honor Medal with Crossed Palms from the Boy Scouts of America In April 2015, Moniz and his team left for Nepal for a third expedition: an anticipated summit of Mount Everest followed by a summit of Lhotse and then an attempt to ski the Lhotse Couloir.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Arnette|first1=Alan|title=Everest 2015 Climbs to Watch|url=http://www.alanarnette.com/blog/2015/03/26/everest-2015-climbs-to-watch/|website=www.alanarnette.com|access-date=31 August 2015|date=2015-03-26}}</ref> As they approached Mount Everest on April 25, 2015, an earthquake struck Nepal and triggered an avalanche from Pumori into Everest Base Camp. Moniz took cover behind a boulder as a 200 mph powder blast hit the camp. At least 22 people were killed and many injured. Moniz immediately began helping the wounded and with other rescue efforts.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Escobedo|first1=Tricia|title=Teen Climber Survives Deadly Everest Avalanche|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/13/travel/nepal-earthquake-teen-climber-matt-moniz/|website=www.cnn.com|access-date=31 August 2015|date=2015-05-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Minor|first1=Nathaniel|title=Boulder Teen Mountaineer Matt Moniz Witnesses Everest Avalanche, Rescue|url=http://www.cpr.org/news/story/boulder-teen-mountaineer-matt-moniz-witnesses-everest-avalanche-rescue|access-date=31 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Lindenberger|first1=Hudson|title=Matt Moniz: Entering Everest Base Camp|url=http://www.mensjournal.com/adventure/outdoor/matt-monitz-walking-into-everest-base-camp-when-quake-hit-survival-stories-from-everest-20150428|website=www.mensjournal.com|access-date=31 August 2015}}</ref> For his actions, Moniz received the Boy Scouts of America's highest award for lifesaving – The Honor Medal with Crossed Palms.
After the initial earthquake Moniz remained in Nepal to assist with rebuilding efforts. He and his climbing partner Willie Benegas raised enough funds to hire over 800 porters to carry nearly 18 metric tons of World Food Programme supplies to the people of the devastated village of Laprak.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Brennan|first1=Charlie|title=Boulder Teen Matt Moniz sets sighs on relief goal in quake-ravaged Nepal|url=http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_28111672/boulder-teen-matt-moniz-sets-sights-relief-goal|website=www.dailycamera.com|access-date=31 August 2015}}</ref> Moniz stayed in Nepal for a month working with a team of international doctors and climbers to care for the injured and build temporary schools and homes in the remote Himalayan mountains.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Dunlap|first1=Tiare|title=After Surviving Deadly Everest Avalanche, Colorado Teen Climber Leads Relief Effort in Nepal|url=http://www.people.com/article/matt-moniz-survives-everest-avalanche-helps-nepal|website=www.people.com|access-date=31 August 2015}}</ref>
== 2018 Mount Everest and Lhotse summits == On May 20, 2018, Moniz and Benegas reached the summit of Mount Everest.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tomer |first1=Chris |title=Matt Moniz summits Everest; next up Lhotse |url=https://kdvr.com/2018/05/20/matt-moniz-summits-everest-next-up-lhotse/ |access-date=28 June 2018 |agency=Fox |date=20 May 2018}}</ref> The weather window was solid (dry, low wind speeds) and the team moved quickly. While on the summit, Moniz and his team unfurled the Navy's 7th Fleet flag - a chance meeting with Naval top officers in 2016 inspired the Navy officers to send a signed flag with the team on the expedition.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Simkins |first1=JD |title=Mountaineer flies 7th Fleet flag on Earth's highest peak |url=https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2018/06/25/7th-fleet-flag-flies-on-earths-highest-summit/ |website=Navy Times |access-date=28 June 2018|date=2018-06-25 }}</ref> Moniz stated that he was proud to honor the service and sacrifice of the Navy by flying the flag at the highest point on Earth. After the Everest summit, the team regrouped and used their acclimatization to become the fourth team to summit Everest and Lhotse within twenty-four hours during the 2018 season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nestler |first1=Stefan |title=Everest and Lhotse within 24 Hours |url=http://blogs.dw.com/adventuresports/everest-and-lhotse-within-24-hours/ |website=Adventure Sports |publisher=Deutsche Wells |access-date=28 June 2018}}</ref>
== 2018 Everest Twin Study == As part of the 2018 Everest/Lhotse summit expedition, Moniz and Benegas announced that in cooperation with Dr. [https://web.archive.org/web/20180628233524/https://research.cornell.edu/researchers/christopher-e-mason Christopher Mason], an associate professor at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City and leader of the NASA gene expression study,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Edwards |first1=Monica |title=NASA Twins Study Confirms Preliminary Findings |url=https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-twins-study-confirms-preliminary-findings |website=Nasa.gov |access-date=28 June 2018 |date=2018-01-31 |archive-date=2018-12-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215164941/https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-twins-study-confirms-preliminary-findings/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> they will be the lead subjects in the Everest Twin Study. Modeled after the Mason Lab's recent ground-breaking NASA Twin Study, Moniz and Benegas will be collecting blood samples to compare with their respective twin siblings to research how they genomically adapt to their near-space mission.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Simicevic |first1=Vedrana |title=Two mountaineers are trying to recreate NASA's twin study - on Mount Everest |url=https://www.science.org/content/article/two-mountaineers-are-trying-recreate-nasa-s-twin-study-mount-everest |website=Sciencemag.org |access-date=28 June 2018|date=2018-05-03 }}</ref> The goal of the study was to sequence DNA and RNA from the climbers' white blood cells to discover possible changes in gene expression.
==Recognition== In August 2015, Moniz was recognized in front of over 73,000 fans as a Broncos Country Hero at the preseason Denver Broncos versus San Francisco 49ers game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.denverbroncos.com/community/index.html|website=denverbroncos.com|title=Denver Broncos}}</ref> In March 2015, he was honored at the Boulder Citizens' Dinner as the 2015 Boulder Distinguished Eagle Scout. In February 2015, Moniz was presented with the 2015 Outdoor Inspiration Award at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lowry|first1=Katie|title=2016 Outdoor Inspiration Awards|url=http://www.outdoorretailer.com/winter-market/events-seminars/inspiration.shtml|website=www.outdoorretailer.com|access-date=31 August 2015}}</ref> While in middle school, Moniz received the Winning Attitude award given by CenturyLink, Root Sports and the University of Colorado. The winner is selected from a pool of written essays explaining how their attitude has made a difference in the community.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sixth 2011-12 Winning Attitude Recipient Announced|url=http://www.cubuffs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=600&ATCLID=205341373|website=www.cubuff.com|access-date=31 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2018/06/18/view-from-the-top-what-an-eagle-scout-learned-on-his-climb-up-mount-everest/ | title=Eagle Scout Matt Moniz climbed Mount Everest. Here's what he learned | date=18 June 2018 }}</ref>
==World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji== In August 2020, Moniz competed with Team Eagle Scouts in the World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji, a reality competition series which aired on Amazon Prime.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2020/08/14/team-eagle-scouts-to-compete-on-amazons-eco-challenge-hosted-by-bear-grylls/ | title=Meet Team Eagle Scouts from Amazon Prime's 'Eco-Challenge' | date=14 August 2020 }}</ref> The course covered over 617 km with an eleven-day cut off – teams were only equipped with a map and a compass. The team raced through five stages including legs on the ocean, through the jungle, biking and a river run, trekking through the highlands and paddleboarding for the final island leg. Team Eagle Scouts finished in 43rd place and was one of just 11 US teams to finish.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2020/08/24/how-did-team-eagle-scouts-do-in-worlds-toughest-race-eco-challenge-fiji/ | title=How Team Eagle Scouts did in World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji | date=24 August 2020 }}</ref>
==Education== Moniz graduated from Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH in 2020. He received his master's degree from Georgetown University in 2022.
==See also== * Jordan Romero, summited Mount Everest at 13 * Malavath Purna, summited Mount Everest at 13 * Tyler Armstrong
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Moniz, Matt}} Category:American mountain climbers Category:Living people Category:1998 births