Polar explorer, once diagnosed with terminal cancer, still lives for adventure

Crested Butte, Colorado – Erik Larsen lives for adventure.

One of the world’s leading polar explorers, Larsen has touched the South Pole and the North Pole six times. He is the only person to have climbed both Mount Everests in the same year.

Did he ever consider slowing down?

“My old answer would have been a very strong, ‘No way,'” Larson told CBS News. “It was never enough. I’m not so sure anymore.”

In 2021, at the age of 49, he was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer.

“Trying to think about how those few years are going to get through with my family and my little kids. To say it’s been tough is an understatement,” Larson said.

However, the diagnosis was wrong. Larson underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments. He also had 14 inches of his colon removed.

During his treatment, he never thought he would do it again: pack his bags and head back to the North Pole. But that is exactly what he is doing.

“To see it again, when I thought I’d never do anything again, feels like the right thing to do,” Larson said.

David Begnaud

David Begnaud is a national correspondent for “CBS Mornings” based in New York City.