Seven Summits: The Dream of Mountaineers

You must wonder what Seven Summit means. There are so many mountains in the world that people have summited. Seven summits refer to the seven highest mountains in the world from each continent. These seven summits test the level of skills and endurance of mountaineers. Summiting all these peaks is a dream for mountaineers. All these peaks differ in difficulty level. 

What are the Seven Summits?

There are so many mountains in the world. Seven Summits are the highest mountain from each continent. Climbing these mountains is considered great feat. Here is a list with their height and the continent they are situated on.

Mount Everest (Asia) 

Mount Everest lies on the Nepal-China border in the Mahalangur Himalayan range and it is the highest mountain in the world, with 8,848.86 m (29031.69 ft) height. Everest is called “Sagarmatha” in Nepali and “Chomolungma” in Tibet. Mount Everest is the hardest to climb among all the seven summits.

Mount Everest has two major routes, which are the North face of the Tibet side and the south face on the Nepal side. Everest South Face is the major climbing route to summit Everest because of the established infrastructure and possible rescue options. 

Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa) 

Mount Kilimanjaro lies in the African continent in Tanzania. Mt. Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano with 5,885 m (19,308 ft) height. It is the highest mountain in Africa and does not require technical climbing, which attracts many trekkers from around the world to climb it. 

Mount Kilimanjaro was first ascended in 1889 A.D. by Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller. Annually, about 50,000 people target the Kilimanjaro summit while achieving approximately 65% success rates.

There are seven established routes to the Kilimanjaro summit. The two most preferred routes are the Lemosho route, which offers better acclimatization and less cloudiness. At the same time, the Machame Route is famous for its stunning vistas. Tanzanian culture and tourism draw adventurers from worldwide locations since Mount Kilimanjaro plays an essential role in tourism aspects. 

Mount Aconcagua (South America) 

Mount Aconcagua lies in the Andes Mountain range in Argentina. This is the highest mountain in both the Southern Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere, with 6,961 m (22,838 ft) height. The meaning of Aconcagua is “stone sentinel” in Quechua, which means a guardian against external threats. 

Swiss climber Matthias Zurbriggen successfully reached the summit for the first time in 1897 A.D. The Mendoza Province became the yearly destination of 3,500 mountain climbers who attempted Aconcagua, but only 40% succeeded in reaching the summit. The extreme condition of Aconcagua’s climate, including its freezing temperatures and strong winds, adds to its climbing challenges.

Acclimatization must be appropriate because altitude sickness remains one of the major health risks at this high elevation. Aconcagua presents a serious challenge of endurance that draws experienced climbers and thrill-seekers. 

Mount Denali (North America) 

Mount Denali lies in the Alaska range in North America. It is the third tallest mountain of the Seven Summits, with 6,190 meters (20,310 ft) height above sea level. Denali was called Mount McKinley, but it was officially changed in 2015. The meaning of Denali is “The high one.”

The ascension of Mount Denali was first made when Hudson Stuck, Harry Karstens, Walter Harper and Robert Tatum reached the summit on June 7, 1913. Climbers from various nations attempt to summit Mount Denali and experience harsh weather patterns, which include extreme colds reaching minus -40°C (-40°F) and strong storms. Denali attracts mountaineers as a top summit destination in North America, even though it presents rigorous climbing conditions. 

Mount Vinson (Antarctica) 

Mount Vinson lies in Antarctica in the Sentinel Range. It lies on the coldest continent with 4892 m (16,050 ft) height. Mt. Vinson has very little climbing because of the cost and extreme weather conditions. 

Mount Vinson is one of the coldest and most isolated mountains on Earth. It was first ascended in 1966 A.D. by Nicholas Clinch and his team. The weather conditions on Mount Vinson create extremely dangerous climbing conditions because temperatures reach below -89.6°C (-128.6°F) with strong winds blowing.

You get 24-hour light in Antarctica during summer, yet the cold landscape does not get warm. The major obstacles to climbing Vinson Mountain are the extreme environmental and logistical challenges because Antarctica is one of the most remote continents in the world. 

Mount Elbrus (Europe) 

Mount Elbrus lies in the Caucasus Mountain range in Russia. The height is 5,642 m (18,510 ft), and it is a dormant volcano that erupted 50 years ago. 

The east summit of Elbrus was first ascended by Killar Khashirov in 1829 before a British team captained by Florence Crauford Grove reached the west summit in 1874.

Mount Elbrus is one of the easiest climbs among all. The Normal Route from the south side is the most frequently chosen climbing path since climbers can access it through a cable car, which reaches heights of 3,800 meters (12,500 ft). 

Carstensz Pyramid (Oceania /Australia) 

Carstensz Pyramid also called Puncak Jaya lies in Sudirman mountain Range in Indonesia. It is the highest peak in Oceania, standing at 4,884 meters (16,024 feet) in the Jayawijaya Mountains of Papua, Indonesia.

Among all the Seven Summits peaks, the Carstensz Pyramid stands unique because climbing demands professional techniques, climbing gear, and technical ropes. It was first ascended in 1962 by Heinrich Harrer.

Carstensz Pyramid stands out from the other Seven Summit peaks because it consists of limestone rock and has steep rock faces rather than ice or snow. The peak ranks as one of the hardest Seven Summit challenges to overcome, although its elevation is the lowest among them. 

Who Climbed all Seven Summits First? 

The Seven Summits were first climbed in 1950 by an American mountaineer, rancher and businessman, Richard Daniel “Dick” Bass. Since then, only 500 climbers have climbed all. 

In Order of Difficulty 

Seven Summits in order of difficulty from easiest to hardest and why it is difficult is listed below. 

Kilimanjaro (Africa)

• Non-technical trek but physically challenging due to altitude. 
• Gradual ascent with well-established trails. 

Elbrus (Europe)

• Mostly non-technical but involves glacier travel. 
• Weather and altitude pose challenges. 

Aconcagua (South America)

• High altitude makes acclimatization essential. 
• It is non-technical but requires endurance and cold-weather survival. 

Denali (North America)

• Harsh weather, extreme cold, and heavy loads make it difficult. 
• Requires glacier travel. 

Carstensz Pyramid (Oceania)

• Steep rock climbing with ropes and exposure. 
• Difficult jungle approach with logistical challenges. 

Vinson (Antarctica)

• Remote location, extreme cold, and isolation. 
• Requires deep planning and self-preparation. 

Everest (Asia)

• Highest and most extreme in terms of altitude, weather, and endurance. 
• Requires technical climbing, oxygen use, and risk management. 

Who is the youngest person to climb all Seven Summits?

The youngest person to climb all the Seven Summits is 15-year-old Jordan Romero, who completed all 7 summits in 2010 A.D. At the time of completion, he was at the age of 15 years, 5 months, and 12 days. 

Is K2 One of The Seven Summits?

No, K2 does not fall in the list of Seven summits. In Asia, Mount Everest is already the highest peak, but K2 falls on the Seven Second Summits. 

How Many People Have Completed the Seven Summits?

The total number of climbers who have done the Seven Summits challenge has reached 500 individuals in 2023.

The total number of successful Seven Summits mountaineers steadily increases as mountain climbers from around the world pursue their ambitions to scale the highest peaks on each continent. 

What Is the Easiest of the Seven Summits?

Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa is the easiest challenge among the Seven Summit collection of peaks. Non-technical climbing status applies to this mountain, which does not need special mountaineering abilities from climbers. 

Famous Documentaries

The stories of seven summits and the perseverance, patience, skills and endurance of mountaineers recorded and presented in reel. The documentaries that you can watch are:

The Seventh Summit

This story tracks several enthusiastic mountain climbers through their ultimate mountain journey toward the extremely challenging Mt.

Denali. Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani Raed Zidan and Massoud Kalafji attempt to climb their seventh summit of the Seven Summits at Mt. Denali despite hazardous weather patterns and dangerous conditions in Alaska.

Suzanne Al Houby pursues her fourth successful attempt on Denali after attempting it thrice before. Their resistance faces its most intense trial throughout the longest recorded storm that hits Denali. 

14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible

Viewers seeking mountaineering stories should watch this documentary, although it does not focus exclusively on Seven Summits.

The documentary tracks Nepali climber Nirmal Purja as he attempts to conquer all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks within seven months, a record that never had been done before. The documentary showcases his incredible determination, physical endurance, and the challenges of climbing at extreme altitudes. 

Eight Summits: The Bill Burke Story 

Eight Summits follows the oldest American to ever summit Mt. Everest and the 7 Summits, as he heads back to this great mountain to attempt the first ever ‘Double Summit’.

Climbing first from the South side of Everest (Nepal) then heads to the North side (Tibet) in a record setting climb, at the age of 70!

Bombardier Blood 

In an attempt to complete the Seven Summits, a do-or-die mountaineer with a severe bleeding disorder risks his life in order to shine a light upon the disturbing lack of access to life-sustaining medicine around the world.

How many days does it take to summit all? 

Climbers need between 2-3 years to reach the summits of all Seven Summits by climbing a single peak or two each year.

Experienced climbers often finish summits within six months, yet some people have spent their entire lives pursuing them because they encounter multiple obstacles. Everest needs the longest duration among the seven summits for an ascent.