Bio
Majka Burhardt has a passion for creating unusual connections. As an author, professional climber, filmmaker, and entrepreneur, Majka has spent two decades exploring the globe—usually by hand and foot—and her stories of challenge, humanity, and the fine line between extreme and acceptable risk continue to inspire audiences around the world. As a keynote speaker and writer Majka champions “Additive Adventure”—when adventure goes beyond exploration to cultural and environmental connections that create a larger conversation of singular and collective human meaning.
Majka has 15 years of experience producing multi-stage international ventures focused on current issues of cultural and global significance. Her first book Vertical Ethiopia: Climbing Toward Possibility in the Horn of Africa (2008) short‑listed for the Banff Book Award. Her second book, Coffee Story: Ethiopia, was released in August 2011. In 2010, Majka produced Waypoint Namibia and the film was featured at international film festivals and shown on NBC's Universal Sports. Majka was nominated for an EPIC Emerging Artist Award for her work as the Executive Producer. She is currently producing the forthcoming film The Lost Mountain, the story of a pioneering biological study of the cliffside habitat on Mt. Namuli, Mozambique’s second highest mountain and a critical target for conservation in southeast Africa.
As a keynote speaker, Majka addresses a diverse group of organizations and companies. Previous speeches include the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy, the Commonwealth Club, TEDxSMU, Banff Film and Book Festival, Colorado Environmental Coalition, universities and colleges throughout North America, and many others. Her work has been featured on news programs, radio shows, magazines and newspapers.
Majka’s non-fiction work has appeared in publications including Afar, Men’s Health, Skiing Magazine, Patagonia, Alpinist, Women's Adventure, The Explorers Journal, and Climbing, where her column “Whipped," ran for six years. Majka’s blog, The Liminal Line, can be found here, on her website.
Majka has an MFA in Creative Writing from the Warren Wilson Program for Writers and received her BA in Anthropology from Princeton University. She is an ambassador/athlete for Patagonia, Osprey Packs, SnapMyLife, Petzl, Scarpa, Julbo, Outdoor Research and is an AMGA Certified Rock Guide. She also serves on the AMGA Board of Directors. Curious how to say her name? It's "My-ka."
Photos This Page: Holly Wilmeth | Anne Skidmore | Gabe Rogel