The Seven Summits

The Seven Summits

The Seven Summits are the highest mountains of each of the seven continents.

Denali

Aconcagua

Vinson

Kilimanjaro

EverestElbrus

Puncak Jaya

Mount Everest in Asia stands at about 29,029 feet (8,848 meters), Everest boasts the top spot for the tallest mountain in the world. It is located on the border between Sagarmatha Zone, Nepal, and Tibet, China and is part of the Himalayan Mountain Range.

With its rocky 22,841’ summit, Aconcagua located in Argentina is the highest mountain not only in South America but both the Western and Southern Hemispheres. It claims the title as the tallest peak on earth outside of the Himalayas.

Mt. Elbrus is a stunning volcanic peak located in the Caucasus Mountains of Russia and at 18,510' it is Europe's, as well as Russia's, highest peak.

Surrounded by the massive glaciers and peaks of the Alaska Rangeand overlooking Alaska's interior stands 20,320' Mt. McKinley, also

known as Denali, the highest mountain in North America.

Tanzania’s Mt. Kilimanjaro is the "Roof of Africa". Climbing from Kilimanjaro’s rainforests to its glacier capped 19,340’ summit is an unforgettable experience.

Located only 660 nautical miles from the South Pole, Vinson Massif (16,067') is the highest peak in Antarctica

Puncak Jaya at 16,024 ft. is the highest mountain on the islandof New Guinea and the highest on the continent of Australia(which comprises New Guinea, the country of Australia, Timor,other islands, and submerged continental shelf).

Mountaineering challengeThe mountaineering challenge to climb the Seven Summits is traditionally based on either the Bass or the Messner list named after two famous mountaineers.

The Bass List vs. Messner List

There is a bit of a dispute on the list of the Seven Summits by mountaineers.

The first Seven Summits list by Richard Bass chose the highest mountain of mainland Australia, Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 m or 7,310 ft), to represent the Australian continent's highest summit, the ascent of Kosciuszko is an easy hike and is considered by most to be the less challenging expedition.

Reinhold Messner postulated another list (replacing Mount Kosciuszko with Indonesia's Puncak Jaya (4,884 m or 16,024 ft). From a mountaineering point of view the Messner list is the more challenging one.

The mountaineering challenge to climb the Seven Summits As of January 2010, approximately 275 climbers climbed all seven of the peaks from either the Bass or the Messner list; about 30% of those have climbed all of the eight peaks required to complete both lists.