CHRIS STANKO

Chris Stanko

Base Camp Manager

Irvine, California, USA

Chris brings the passion and technical skills of outdoor adventuring matched with the discipline of corporate level management and operations. Though born and raised in fast-paced Southern California, Chris has always been drawn to the great outdoors. Along with being an accomplished scuba diver and skier/snowboarder, Chris has safaried on the plains of Africa, hiked the mountains and woodlands of southern Australia, trekked the jungles of Belize and occasionally has been known to jump out of perfectly good airplanes thirteen thousand feet in the air just for fun!

"Whether I'm a hundred feet below the surface of the ocean or thousands of feet atop a mountain, being out in the midst of nature's majesty is what brings me peace. I find my greatest sense of self out where few humans dare tread. It's a peace not many people will ever know."

Phill and Chris have been adventuring together since 2004 and Chris shares Phill's passion for the outdoors and for pushing one's own abilities. He and Phill also share the idea that, if you are not living your dreams, you are not really living. Chris' drive for adventure has grown to complement the energy and vision generated by Phill.

While working for Oakley, Inc., Chris was given the opportunity to build Oakley's watch warranty division on a world level. Aside from managing the watch warranty operations in the states, Chris established repair facilities and trained technicians at world subsidiaries in nine different countries. Unsatisfied with a corporate level career, Chris concluded that happiness in life would only come from following his passions, wherever they may lead.

Chris left Oakley to form his own company producing custom and completely hand made knives. He had always been intrigued with knives and swords since childhood and proceeded to forge a new path in his life by setting aside the conventional idea of work and following a dream. After only a year and a half of leaving Oakley, Chris made his goal a reality in the formation of West Coast Bladecraft.

"Anything is possible in life provided we have a strong relationship to our word.Too many people trivialize words by not honoring their words as themselves. If I say something will happen, it WILL happen. Once the goal is set, then it's time to create the path on how to get there.That path may twist and turn and change from day to day...but every moment is created with that goal in mind."

With Chris' passion and dedication complementing his organizational and management strengths and his ability to quickly adapt and remain focused under pressure and ever-changing conditions, he will be a great asset to the Everest Freestyle Expedition and the overall Secret Spot 7 Summits project.

His involvement in the Secret Spot 7 Summits expeditions compliments his life-long drive and passion to push human ability to its limits and associate with like-minded adventurers driven to succeed through feats of physical achievement. Chris also hopes that these projects will demonstrate to a wide range of people that living any dream is within reach, no matter your current situation or condition.

"Freedom IS fought for...but not with guns or swords or grand armies. It is a battle that rages within each of us. To let go of the fear and doubt which holds so many of us back from living our dreams and to see the world from a different view...a view of possibility...that is true freedom. If we stop holding onto the past and stop worrying about the future...if we live each moment as our last...that is the ultimate freedom a human being can achieve. By creating your life...creating your being, moment by moment, any dream can be lived."