Climb the Seven Summits

1 Denali,  2 Aconcagua,  3 Vinson,  4 Elbrus,  5 Kilimanjaro,  6 Everest,  7 Cartstensz Pyramid

1 Denali 6,194m North America
2 Aconcagua 6,962m South America
3 Vinson 4,897m Mt Vinson
4 Elbrus 5,642m Europe
5 Kilimanjaro 5,895m Africa
6 Everest 8,848m Asia
7 Cartstensz Pyramid 4,884m Australasia

To climb the seven summits has captured the imagination of many, it has given a focus to mountaineers and climbers worldwide: to climb the highest peak on each of the seven continents. Anyone can start the challenge on the easier non-technical peaks of Kilimanjaro, Elbrus and Aconcagua whilst developing the resilience and skills to tackle the cold peaks of Mt Vinson on Antarctica and Denali (Mt McKinley) in North America. The final two include Carstensz Pyramid, a technical rock summit on the island of New Guinea and finally the ultimate prize Everest, the summit of Asia and the highest point in the world. The idea of the seven summits was first publicised by Dick Bass in his book the ‘Seven Summits’, which describes his success in becoming the first to achieve the quest in 1986.

To date there are now around 200 people who have completed the challenge.

IN 2011 ANOTHER WORLD RECORD ON THE SEVEN SUMMITS: Adventure Peaks guided George Atkinson to become the youngest person in the world to climb the seven summits at the age of 16 years 362 days. He also became the youngest British person to summit Mt Everest

IN 2010 THE SECOND SEVEN SUMMITSIN 2010 THE SECOND SEVEN SUMMITS: We helped Andy Collins move closer to this - a world first….the second seven summits, amazingly these are technically very difficult peaks. They are the second highest summits on each continent. He has now completed: K2 (Asia), Ojos del Salado (South America), Dykh Tau, Mt Logan (North America), Mt. Kenya (Africa). Adventure Peaks now looks forward to helping Andy with the final two: Ngga Pulu (Australasia) and Mt Tyree (Antarctica).

IN 2009 - PAUL TAYLOR said “Completing the Seven Summits! Me! Never gave it a thought, not at least until I’d summitted Kili and then Aconcagua. By the time I’d climbed McKinley, I was hooked! The countries, the people you meet, the depth of experience of the leaders who give you the best shot at the summit. Doing all seven in the first seven attempts? Unbelievable! Luck? Maybe. Determination? Definitely. Fitness? Of course. Beats going to the gym anyday!”

IN 2008 ANOTHER RECORD ATTEMPT: We helped guide Lei Wang during her record challenge to become the first Chinese woman to complete the seven summits.

IN 2007 A WORLD RECORD: In 2007 Dave Pritt, guided Ian McKeever to a new world record for the quickest ascent of the seven summits in 156 days! The previous record was 187 days.
Mt Vinson Jan 26th
Aconcagua Feb 12th
Kilimanjaro Mar 5th
Carstensz Pyramid Mar 17th
Everest May 16th
Elbrus May 28th
Denali July 1st

ALSO IN 2007: Grania Willis - the first Irish woman to climb Carstensz Pyramid AND Sibusio Vilane - the first South African to climb Carstensz Pyramid

IN 2006 NEW BRITISH RECORD: For the second consecutive year Adventure Peaks put the youngest British climbers on the summit of Everest. In 2006 this was Rob Gauntlet and James Hooper, both aged 19 years.It is important to approach such challenges in a sensible manner and gain the relevant experience and technical ability.

IN 2005 BRITISH AND WORLD RECORD: Adventure Peaks helped Jake Meyer to become the youngest Britain to summit Mt Everest at the age of 21 and the youngest male in the world to scale the ‘Seven Summits’ JAKE SAYS: ‘For over two months we waited patiently, hoping, praying for a break in the weather. Then, on the 1st June, we left our Advanced Base Camp at 6400m, for a 3 day ‘dash’ to the summit. 70 hours later I stood on the top of the world. The final assault was unimaginably hard, both mentally and physically. Somehow, due to the strength of my leader and our Sherpas, and drawing on an inner strength that I never knew existed, I managed to surmount the multitude of hindrances and obstacles. At 6.30am on the 4th June 2005 I became the youngest Britain to climb Everest and the youngest male in the world to scale the Seven Summits. To Dave and everyone at Adventure Peaks, thank you so much for such an amazing trip; I feel on top of the world!’