Aaron Mulkey

The odds that the term “pioneer” finds its way into any description of Aaron Mulkey are better than even. After all, his nearly 30-year quest to discover unclimbed ice – both in his Wyoming backyard and across the globe – has yielded no shortage of exploratory adventure.

Epic after frigid wilderness epic, Mulkey has deftly balanced his extensive pursuit of first ascents with a high-level executive position in corporate America. He’s as comfortable in the boardroom as on the sharp end of a frozen rope. But developing two independent and often opposing skillsets and practicing both at the pinnacle of performance hasn’t come easily. It’s been a fight for survival, both literally and figuratively, on numerous occasions.

In this current age of carefully curated Instagram reels (#vanlife) and the ubiquitous inspiration to “quit my job and selling everything to chase the dream,” it’s rare for the spotlight to land on someone who, while incredibly talented, balances their passion with the seemingly mundane, day-to-day responsibilities that we can all relate to. Aaron Mulkey has figured it out.