Facts, figures, fables
The "7 Summits" are the highest mountain on each of the 7 continents
Africa - Kilimanjaro
Antarctica - Vinson Massif
Asia - Mount Everest
Europe - Mount Elbrus
North America - Denali (also called Mount McKinley)
Oceania - Puncak Jaya (also Carstenz Pyramid)
South America - Aconcagua
Mount Kilimanjaro
Tanzania, Africa
Co-ordinates: 03oS, 37oE
Height: 5 895mKnown to the Swahilis as "shining mountain" (kilima njaro), Kilimanjaro's Kibo summit is not only the highest point in Africa but also the continent's largest volcano and the highest free standing mountain in the world.
The mountain is ranked 4th in the world in terms of prominence - that's the amount by which it rises from the adjoining landscape. Only Everest, Aconcagua and Denali rank higher.
A small amount of gas rises from Kibo's crater but the last recorded volcanic activity was about 170years ago.
"Kili", an affectionate nickname used by climbers, is the most accessible of the 7 summits and weather does not play as great a role as on the others. However only the reckless would underestimate this, seemingly easy, African peak. Although no particular mountaineering skills are required climbers still need to be cognisant of the affects of being at high altitudes. Climbers repeatedly hear "polepole" ("slowly") from the Swahili speaking guides as speed can be deadly in high altitude conditions.Kilimanjaro's height and location close to the equator present a wide range of climatic conditions that greet climbers on their journey from the warm Tanzanian plains to the ice-capped summit. A recent study indicates that, at the current rate of climate change, the ice-cap will disappear in the next 50years.
Vinson Massif
Antarctica
Co-ordinates: 78oS, 85oW
Height: 4 892mVinson Massif, just 1200km from the South Pole, is easily the most remote of the "7 summits" and was the last one to be "conquered". Situated almost at "the bottom of the earth", Vinson Massif wasn't even sighted until 1957 when it was seen from a US Navy aircraft.
Antarctica is a continent of extremes - inhospitable, isolated, cold. It is the only continent without any indigenous people - in fact there is no permanent human habitation at all and the 1st recorded human birth there was in 1978. The international scientific and research teams comprise the Antarctic "population" of, approximately, 2 500 in summer and dwindling to about 1 000 brave souls in winter.
Weather is the deciding factor in everything. The average mid-summer day ranges between +15 and -35oC. Winter brings temperatures of -40 to -70oC. In summer there are 24 hours of sunlight, in winter there's no daylight at all. Vinson expeditions have been known to be held up in Chile for a month or more waiting for the Antarctic weather to clear.
Once there, however, it is impossible not to be captivated by the extraordinary, frozen landscape. From the top of Vinson the white panorama extends in all directions to a visibly curved horizon and is, by all accounts, unforgettable.
Mount Everest
Nepal/Tibet, Asia
Co-ordinates: 27oN, 86oE
Height: 8 850mEverest is known both to the Nepalese and Tibetans as "Mother Goddess of the Earth". The Nepalese call her "Sagamartha" and in Tibet she's "Chomolugma".
Rising to 8 850m above sea level she is the apex of the earth and every high altitude mountaineer dreams of standing on the very top of that peak.
Everest is not the most technical of the "7 Summits" climbs but she certainly presents the greatest challenge of them all. Physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally - Everest peels away those layers until everything has been exposed.
The climb is preceded by a 6-week acclimatisation programme which includes the 2-week trek to South Base Camp. May is the best summit month and each season hundreds of climbers endure days or weeks in Base Camp waiting and hoping for a suitable weather window that will allow them to seize their chance ot getting to the top - and back down again.
Each year many climber realise their dream - but many more don't. Invariably the altitude and extreme weather conditions have the final say. Humans can only remain at such altitudes for very short periods so climbers can't linger indefinitely, trying over and over to get to the summit. Having decided to go for the summit they have to put their all into one final push and hope that they get to stand on the highest point on earth.
Mount Elbrus
Russia, Europe
Co-ordinates: 43oN, 42oE
Height: 5 642mAlthough dormant for around 2 000 years Elbrus, like Kilimanjaro, is a volcano. Located in the Russian Caucasus, close to the Georgian border, Elbrus' 22 glaciers feed major rivers in the region and the summit is permanently covered in ice. By contrast the climate on the slopes is almost schizophrenic. The cool northern slopes face both the Arctic and the steppes whereas the southern slopes face the Middle East making them warm and dry.
Mont Blanc was previously considered to be Europe's highest mountain but, since Russia opened up to the west, the Caucasus range came to be considered by most as the natural border between Europe and Asia. In the process Mont Blanc was overtaken by a total of 14 highest peaks in the Caucasus and Elbrus has become established as Europe's highest mountain.Mount Elbrus presents a fairly straightforward climb, albeit up a glacier, but with all high mountains the main challenges are the altitude and the weather. Each year many climbers attempt to summit Elbrus and each year between 15 and 30 climbers die on the mountain. To summit and come back down safely one needs to face those challenges consciously and with great respect.
Denali
Alaska, North America
Co-ordinates: 63oN, 151oW
Height: 6 194mThe local Dena'ina tribe call it "The Great One". Lying in Alaska, just outside of the Arctic Circle, Denali (also called Mount McKinley) has the coldest average temperature of the 7 summits. It is said of Fahrenheit and Celsius that this is where they secretly converge, under cover of darkness, to unite at -40o degrees.
The climb is a psychologically difficult one with danger an ever-present companion. Most of Denali's crevasses are covered by a thin snow bridge and are, therefore, impossible to see. Unsuspecting climbers step into the layer of snow and fall straight through into the deep crevasse. For this reason climbers must follow the route exactly, without veering at all to the left or right. Also three or four climbers are roped together at all times so that if one falls the others can, hopefully, save their team mate.
Denali is one of the 7 summits on which there are no porters so climbers must transport all their supplies up the mountain themselves. Each climber not only carries a backpack but also pulls a sled, the combined load weighing up to 60kg.
In addition, at 63o north of the equator, Denali offers much less oxygen at its summit that it would were it situated closer to the equator. The risk of altitude illness (Acute Mountain Sickness) is, therefore, even greater on Denali than on the other 6 summits.From the summit of "The Great One" one sees a vast ice and snow scape stretching, white on white, beyond the curved horizon.
Puncak Jaya
Indonesia, Oceania
Co-ordinates: 04oS, 137oE
Height: 4 884m
It may be the smallest of the 7 summits but Puncak Jaya ("glorious mountain"), also known as Carstensz Pyramid, presents one of the most technically difficult climbs in the 7 summits series!
Located in the Papua province on the island of New Guinea, only a few hundred people have reached the summit of this the highest island peak in the world. Dense jungle, political instability and rampant bureaucracy merely add to the difficulties of the expedition.The first summit, in 1962, was led by Heinrich Harrer who was portrayed by Bradd Pitt in the 1997 film "Seven Years in Tibet".
Puncak Jaya is virtually on the equator and satellite imagery over the past three decades shows the rapid retreat of it's rare equatorial glaciers. The region's 0,6oC rise in temperature each century has resulted in two of Puncak Jaya's glaciers simply melting away over the past 100 years, the second disappearing between 1994 and 2000.
The 100km trek from the town of Timika to Puncak Jaya passes through many villages offering fascinating insights to the local culture. The local Dani tribe were first exposed to western culture only 50y ears ago. Although the most feared head hunters of the region they, unlike other local tribes, never practiced cannibalism!
The route to the summit takes one through the equatorial landscape - mountain rain forests and tracts of enormous tree ferns. Finally to the hard, sharp, steep rock face that one must overcome to summit the "glorious mountain" that is Puncak Jaya.
Aconcagua
Argentina, South America
Co-ordinates: 78oS, 85oW
Height: 6 962mIn the language of the Inca Empire, it means "stone sentinel" and Aconcagua is exactly that.
A snow-covered peak, set in the Andes, upon a gigantic mound of gravel, stone and scree. The locals say that Aconcagua can only be fully understood when one has experienced all sides of its character. All is well when Febo (the sun goddess) is shining and Eolo (the god of the wind) is sleeping but when the furies of Eolo are unleashed the cloud dragons devour the sky and Aconcangua becomes cold and unrelenting.
Climbers agree that Aconcagua is a mountain of many faces. Sometimes dry, dusty and cold. At other times a huge, threatening mushroom-shaped cloud, caused by strong winds, engulfs the summit. Often violent and extremely dangerous electric storms, mostly in summer, drive climbers back down the mountain.
Although Aconcagua is the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas the climb is not a technically difficult one. As always on these mountains, everything depends on the weather and when the cloud appears on the peak climbers should retreat immediately or be caught in terrible wind and snow storms. Often lightning bolts hit the exposed upper reached of the climb and, of course, the high altitude is an ever-present concern.To challenge Aconcagua's cold and unrelenting side is to put one's life at stake - a wager that many have lost.
