People

Jason Edwards leads what he calls "a dichotomous life": He's a 9th grade computer teacher and a world-class mountaineer. But his latest undertaking--an assault on the world's highest peak--will bring both halves together.

As the leader of a Mount Everest climbing team of five Canadians and Americans, Mr. Edwards, 38, is pursuing a lifetime goal of reaching the snowy, 29,028-foot summit in the central Himalayas. The team aims reach its goal early in May.

Mr. Edwards was a guide on two previous Everest climbs in 1991 and 1994 but retreated just short of the summit because of equipment problems or...