Himalayan Sherpa Trek & Expedition 2009-2015

Why Seven Summits?

Kosciuszko, 7,310 feet/2,228m, a non-technical peak, is the highest point in Australia. Australia has long been considered the seventh continent, but most now view Australia as part of the larger continental formation of Oceana. From that perspective, Puncak Jaya (Carstensz Pyramid - 16,023 feet/4,884m) is by far the tallest peak. Most climbers with seven summits aspirations climb both peaks just to be sure.

The Seven Summits are the highest mountains of each of the seven continents. Summiting all of them is regarded as a mountaineering challenge, first postulated as such in the 1980s by Richard Bass (Bass et al 1986).

	Aconcagua South America 22,840ft (6,962 m) Grade 2

	Kilimanjaro Africa 19,340ft (5,895m) Grade 2

	Vinson & the South Pole Antarctica 16,067ft (4,897m) Grade 3

	Carstensz Pyramid 16,023ft (4, 884m) Grade 3

	Kosciuszko Australia 2,228m Grade 1

	Elbrus Europe 18,510ft (5,642m) Grade 3

	Denali North America 20,320ft (6,195m) Grade 5+

	Everest Asia 29,035ft (8,850m) Grade 5

The seven summits represent both technical and non-technical ascents. Kilimanjaro and Aconcagua are both non-technical, although demanding. Kilimanjaro requires no prior climbing experience, only excellent physical condition. Aconcagua is also non-technical, but you are required to carry heavy packs (60+ pounds) at high altitudes and we recommend a basic course before attempting this climb.

"Seven" Summits (sorted by continent)
Bass	Messner	Summit	Elevation	Continent	Range	Country
X	X	Kilimanjaro (Kibo Summit)	5,895m	Africa	Kilimanjaro	Tanzania
X	X	Vinson Massif	4,897m	Antarctica	Ellsworth Mountains	Claimed by Chile
X		Kosciuszko	2,228m	Australia	Great Dividing Range	Australia
	X	Carstensz Pyramid (Puncak Jaya)	4,884m	Australia-New Guinea	Maoke Mountains	Indonesia
X	X	Everest	8,850m	Asia	Himalaya	Nepal, China
X	X	Elbrus	5,642m	Europe	Caucasus	Russia
X	X	Denali (MountMcKinley)	6,195m	North America	Alaska Range	United States

Range United States

Testimonial

I have been involved with the Himalayan Woman's and Children's Foundation for the past 2 years. It's been a very uplifting experience for me as a dentist been able to give back to the less fortunate in our global society.
~ Dr. Kwok
Issaquah, Washington