National Geographic Live to Present UNTAMED ANTARCTICA at Mesa Arts Center, 2/4

The 2014-15 National Geographic Live Arizona Speaker Series sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, brings veteran climbers Mike Libecki and Cory Richards to Mesa Arts Center on Wednesday, February 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ikeda Theater. Libecki and Richards will take audiences on an epic ten-day climb to the summit of Bertha's Tower, a never-before-climbed, 2,000-foot spire in Antarctica's remote Wohlthat Range.

"The time is now. Why ration passion?" -- Mike Libecki.

Tickets are available through the Mesa Arts Center Box Office at MesaArtsCenter.com or by calling 480-644-6500.

The accomplished team of climbers faced near-hurricane force katabatic winds while solving the problem of accessing a mountain surrounded by a solid sheet of ice. They will describe the fickle weather and logistical difficulties of carrying out this first ascent at the bottom of the world. With humor and enthusiasm to match their courage and resolution, Libecki and Richards will give a "by-the-campfire" style presentation, revealing behind-the-scenes images and stories that didn't make it into the account published in the September 2013 National Geographic magazine.

Cory Richards is a photographer, filmmaker, and climber who participated in (and filmed) the first winter ascent of Gasherbrum II. Mike Libecki is a veteran climber who has participated in over 40 climbing expeditions and completed first ascents on five continents, plus Oceania.

About Mesa Arts Center - Mesa Arts Center, owned and operated by the City of Mesa, is a unique, architecturally stunning facility located in the heart of downtown Mesa. Arizona's largest arts center is home to four theaters, five art galleries, and 14 art studios. Guests, patrons, and students come to Mesa Arts Center to enjoy the finest live entertainment and performances, world-class visual art exhibitions, and outstanding arts education classes. The Mesa Arts Center mission is to inspire people through engaging arts experiences that are diverse, accessible, and relevant. For more information, visit mesaartscenter.com.

About National Geographic Live - National Geographic Live is the live events division of the National Geographic Society, featuring live concerts, films and dynamic presentations by today's leading explorers, scientists, filmmakers and photographers, covering a wide range of topics including exploration and adventure, wildlife and habitat conservation, natural phenomena and relevant issues such as climate change. Proceeds from speaker series ticket sales help fund future National Geographic initiatives in field research, exploration and education. For more information, visit nglive.org.