Majka Burhardt is a writer, climber, and AMGA Certified Guide. A guide since 1998, Majka has guided the entire range of climbing disciplines from high-altitude mountaineering expeditions to multi-pitch alpine rock. As a lifelong adventurer, she has traveled throughout the world by bike, canoe, and, more often than not, by foot.  Based in Boulder, Colorado, her experiences enable her to take on assignments not only in North America, but throughout the world. In 2009, Majka turned her attention to Namibia, culminating in a new film, Waypoint Namibia,  released in this past December. The film is currently touring film festivals around the world, and Majka was nominated for an EPIC Emerging Artist Award for her work as the Executive Producer. Currently, Burhardt is working  on a series of articles that  examine how to make adventure additive--when adventure goes beyond exploration and toward cultural and environmental connection.

From the Arctic Ocean to southern Argentina, from the high peaks in the Himalayas to sea cliffs in France, and from the Rift Valley to the Skeleton Coast, Majka is drawn to the emotion and internal experience of exploration. In 2007, Majka's work took her to  Ethiopia in search of a rare coffee. Along the way, she discovered the full richenss of the Horn of Africa and launched a climbing expedition in the northern part of the country.

When news of Majka's expedition spread throughout Addis Ababa, Shama Books – an Ethiopian-based publisher – approached Burhardt towards documenting her journey to the remote and unexplored sandstone spires at the roof of Africa. The result was Vertical Ethiopia: Climbing Toward Possibility in the Horn of Africa (February 2008) written by Majka, photographed by Gabe Rogel, and published by Shama Books for sale in both the U.S. and Ethiopian market. In November, 2008, Vertical Ethiopia was also shortlisted for the Banff Book Award. Her second book, Coffee Story: Ethiopia, will be released in fall, 2010.

In September of 2010, Majka will be co-leading an expedition to northern Ethiopia for a first-ever journey of adventure, global stewardship, and sacred connection.  Together they are transporting a group to the heart of humanity's ancient roots to imagine, create and contribute to a new future for a nation of children. Learn more at Imagine Ethiopia 2010.

Burhardt’s non-fiction work has appeared in publications including Men’s Health, Patagonia, Alpinist, Women's Adventure, The Explorers Journal, and Climbing, where she is the voice behind the column “Whipped.” Majka’s blog, The Liminal Line, can be found here, on her website.

Majka shares her work as a writer, climber, and guide through a diverse career as a speaker. From venues and audiences such as the 92nd Street Y in New York City (where other speakers include Salman Rushdie, TC Boyle, and Ariannna Huffington), to the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival, to the Cleveland World Affairs Council, Majka enjoys sharing her story of adventure, leadership, and global conversation. She has given over fifty presentations to audiences of a dozen corporate executives at leadership conferences to crowds of over two-thousand in number. Her work has been featured on news programs, radio shows, magazines and newspapers.

A climbing guide since 1998, Majka Burhardt has guided the entire range of climbing disciplines from high-altitude mountaineering expeditions to multi-pitch alpine rock climbs. As an American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) Certified Rock Guide, she currently guides in Colorado, Nevada, California, New Hampshire and is available guide in other states and internationally. Majka is also on the AMGA Board of Directors and  was formerly the Section Chair for the Central Rockies for the American Alpine Club. She is sponsored by Patagonia, Osprey Packs, Petzl, Scarpa, Julbo, Outdoor Research, and works directly with these great outdoor gear and apparel companies.

Burhardt has an MFA in Creative Writing from the Warren Wilson Program for Writers and received her BA in Anthropology from Princeton University. She merges these backgrounds with her passion for the outdoors and adventure in her writing.