Adventure Travel

Tag: Seven Summits

The Newcomers’ Guide to The Seven Summits and the continental conundrum

Seven Summits (Source » Wikipedia)

Seven Summits (Source » Wikipedia)

Martin Walsh, Explorersweb »

The Seven Summits has become part of the adventure lexicon, shorthand for the highest mountain on each continent.

The most commonly accepted list is:

  • Mount Everest, Asia, 8,849m
  • Aconcagua, South America, 6,961m
  • Denali, North America, 6,194m
  • Kilimanjaro, Africa, 5,895m
  • Mount Elbrus, Europe, 5,642m
  • Mount Vinson, Antarctica, 4,892m
  • Puncak Jaya/Carstensz Pyramid, Oceania, 4,884m

Mountaineers have sought to climb the highest peak on each continent since at least 1956 when American William Hackett completed five of the seven. However, he climbed Mont Blanc rather than Mount Elbrus and Mount Kosciuszko rather than Puncak Jaya, as these were considered the highest peaks in Europe and Oceania respectively at the time.

Read more at Explorersweb »

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Australian who was told four years ago he would never walk again sets a new record for climbing the Seven Summits

Australian Steve Plain set a new speed record for climbing the Seven Summits — the highest peaks on each continent.

That it took him only 118 days to complete the circuit would be remarkable enough. However, his achievement came just four years after he broke his neck in a surfing accident and was told that he might never walk again.

More: DW.com // The Australian