In 1993, Greg Mortenson attempted to climb K2, the world's second highest mountain, in the Karakoram range of northern Pakistan, as a way of honoring the memory of his deceased sister Christa. After more than 70 days on the mountain, Greg and three other climbers had their ascent interrupted by the need to complete a 75-hour life-saving rescue of a fifth climber. After getting lost during his subsequent descent, he became weak and exhausted, and by chance alone, instead of arriving in Askole, where his porters awaited, he came across Korphe, a small village built on a shelf jutting out from a canyon. He was greeted and taken in by the chief of Korphe, Haji Ali.

To repay the remote community for its hospitality, Mortenson promised to build a school for the village. After difficulties in raising capital, Mortenson was introduced to Jean Hoerni, a Silicon Valley pioneer who donated the money that Mortenson needed for his school. In the last months of Hoerni's life, he co-founded the Central Asia Institute, endowing the CAI to build schools in rural Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Mortenson faced daunting challenges in his quest to raise funds for the building of more than 55 schools in Taliban territory, including death threats from Islamic mullahs, long periods of separation from his family, and being kidnapped by Taliban sympathizers.

To learn more about this book and the story that has inspired so many please go to  www.threecupsoftea.com/

Greg Mortenson visits UO and endorses the Holden Leadership Center!

On Thursday May 7 2009, Greg Mortenson visited Eugene to talk to University of Oregon campus community. During his inspirational talk he told the crowd of over 6,000 that "if you want to effect change then go and talk to the people at the Holden Leadership Center".

                        John Duncan Holden Leadership Center Director and Greg Mortenson