While there may be a number of mountain-climbing nephrologists around the world, only one is known to have scaled each of the famed seven summits. Nearly two decades ago, Dr. Biff F. Palmer, a Professor of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern, became intrigued by National Geographic and Discovery Channel programs on mountain climbing. Ultimately, Dr. Palmer would end up transforming his curiosity into a life passion. It has taken him around the world to the top of the highest peaks on every continent -- the so-called seven summits -- including Mounts Everest, Denali, and Kilimanjaro. In this lecture, Dr. Palmer will recount his personal journey and explore the physiologic and metabolic changes that occur at high altitudes, including mountain sickness and pulmonary and cerebral edema.