The Seven Summits on an Elevation World Map. The picture actually shows nine possible summits according to the different definitions of continental borders

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). Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1524x762, 1810 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Seven Summits ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1524x762, 1810 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Seven Summits ... Lyskamm, 4 527 m, Pennine Alps Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah national park, Virginia A mountain is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain in a limited area. ... Animated, colour-coded map showing the various continents. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Richard Bass is the owner of Snowbird Ski Resort in Utah. ...

Seven Summits definitions

Due to different interpretations of continental borders (geographical, geological, geopolitical) several definitions for the highest summits per continent and the number of continents are possible. The Seven Summits number of seven continents is based on the continent model used in Western Europe and the United States. Animated, colour-coded map showing the various continents. ... Animated, colour-coded map showing the various continents. ... The borders of Western Europe were largely defined by the Cold War. ...

Oceania

The highest mountain of the Australian mainland is Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 m), but is actually smaller than the highest mountain in New Zealand, Mount Cook (3,754 m). The highest mountain in Oceania is Puncak Jaya, 4,884 m^[1], on the island of New Guinea. It is also known as Carstensz Pyramid. Anthem Advance Australia Fair Royal anthem: God Save the Queen Capital Canberra Largest city Sydney Official languages English (de facto 1) Government Federal constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy  -  Queen Elizabeth II  -  Governor-General Michael Jeffery  -  Prime Minister John Howard Independence from the United Kingdom   -  Constitution 1 January 1901   -  Statute of... Mount Kosciuszko, located in the Snowy Mountains, in Kosciuszko National Park, is the highest mountain in Australia (not including its external territories), at 2,228 m above sea level. ... Aoraki/Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand. ... Puncak Jaya (IPA: /pÊŠn. ... Carstensz Pyramid is the traditional name among mountaineers for Puncak Jaya, the highest mountain in Oceania. ...

Europe

The generally accepted highest summit in Europe is Mount Elbrus (5,642 m) in the Caucasus. This is the accepted summit when the Caucasus mountains are included within Europe's boundaries. The issue is disputed, with some people considering Mont Blanc (4,808 m) to be Europe's highest mountain. World map showing the location of Europe. ... Mount Elbrus (Russian: Эльбрус) is a peak located in the western Caucasus mountains, in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia, Russia, near the border of Georgia. ... The Caucasus Mountains are a mountain system between the Black and Caspian seas in the Caucasus region, usually considered the southeastern limit of Europe. ... This article is about the Alpine mountain. ...

The Bass and Messner lists

The first Seven Summits list as postulated by Bass (The Bass or Kosciusko list) chose the highest mountain of mainland Australia, Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 m), to represent the Australian continent's highest summit. Reinhold Messner postulated another list (the Messner or Carstensz list) replacing Mount Kosciuszko with New Guinea's Carstensz Pyramid (4,884 m). Neither the Bass nor the Messner list includes Mont Blanc. From a mountaineering point of view the Messner list is the more challenging one. Climbing Carstensz Pyramid has the character of an expedition, whereas the ascent of Kosciuszko is an easy hike. Indeed, Pat Morrow used this argument to defend his choice to adhere to the Messner list. 'Being a climber first and a collector second, I felt strongly that Carstensz Pyramid, the highest mountain in Australasia … was a true mountaineer’s objective.' Reinhold Messner (born September 17, 1944) is an Italian mountaineer and explorer, often cited [1] as the greatest mountain climber of all time, noted for making the first solo ascents of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen and for being the first climber to ascend all fourteen eight-thousanders (peaks over... Patrick Allan Morrow, CM, (born October 18, 1952 in Invermere, British Columbia) is a Canadian photographer and mountain climber who was the first Canadian, and the second person in the world, to have climbed the highest peaks of all seven continents: Mount McKinley in North America [1977] , Aconcagua in South...

Kilimanjaro, formerly Kaiser-Wilhelm-Spitze, is an inactive stratovolcano in north-eastern Tanzania. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... Kilimanjaro, formerly Kaiser-Wilhelm-Spitze, is an inactive stratovolcano in north-eastern Tanzania. ... Vinson Massif is the highest mountain of Antarctica, located about 1,200 km (750 mi) from the South Pole. ... The Ellsworth Mountains are the highest mountain ranges in Antarctica, forming a 360 km (200 mi) long and 48 km (30 mi) chain of mountains in a north to south configuration on the western margin of the Ronne Ice Shelf. ... Mount Kosciuszko, located in the Snowy Mountains, in Kosciuszko National Park, is the highest mountain in Australia (not including its external territories), at 2,228 m above sea level. ... The Great Divide runs around the entire eastern and south-eastern edge of Australia The Great Dividing Range, also known as the Eastern Highlands, is Australias most substantial mountain range. ... Puncak Jaya (IPA: /pʊn. ... Australia-New Guinea, also called Sahul or Meganesia, is made up of the continent of Australia and the islands of New Guinea and Tasmania. ... Pegunungan Maoke, also known as central range, is a mountain range in Indonesia. ... “Everest” redirects here. ... Small Text For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ... Perspective view of the Himalaya and Mount Everest as seen from space looking south-south-east from over the Tibetan Plateau. ... Mount Elbrus (Russian: Эльбрус) is a peak located in the western Caucasus mountains, in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia, Russia, near the border of Georgia. ... World map showing the location of Europe. ... Small Text For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ... The Caucasus Mountains are a mountain system between the Black and Caspian seas in the Caucasus region, usually considered the southeastern limit of Europe. ... Denali redirects here. ... North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ... View of Denali, the centre piece of the Alaska range, on a rare clear day . The Alaska Range is a mountain range that extends for about 650 km (400 mi) across south-central Alaska, from Iliamna Lake at the SW end to White River in Canada at the SE end. ... The Cerro Aconcagua is located in Argentina and is the highest mountain in The Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, as well as the highest peak outside of Asia and one of the Seven Summits. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... Planes view of the Andes, Peru. ...

Mountaineering challenge

The mountaineering challenge to climb the Seven Summits is traditionally based on either the Bass or the Messner list. (It is assumed that most of the mountaineers who have completed the Seven Summits would have climbed Mont Blanc as well.) ^[2]

History

Richard Bass, an American businessman and amateur mountaineer, set himself the goal of climbing the highest mountain on each of the seven continents, including mainland Australia. He hired David Breashears to guide him up Everest, the most difficult of his Seven, and completed his Everest summit on April 30, 1985. He then co-authored the book Seven Summits, which covered the undertaking (Bass et al 1986). Richard Bass is the owner of Snowbird Ski Resort in Utah. ... David Breashears is a well-known American mountaineer and filmmaker, born in 1956. ... is the 120th day of the year (121st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar). ...

Reinhold Messner revised Bass's list by substituting the Australia-New Guinea continent for mainland Australia. Pat Morrow first met Messner's challenge, finishing with climbing Carstensz Pyramid on May 7, 1986, shortly followed by Messner himself climbing Vinson on December 3rd, 1986. Morrow has also been the first to complete all eight summits from both lists. Reinhold Messner (born September 17, 1944) is an Italian mountaineer and explorer, often cited [1] as the greatest mountain climber of all time, noted for making the first solo ascents of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen and for being the first climber to ascend all fourteen eight-thousanders (peaks over... Patrick Allan Morrow, CM, (born October 18, 1952 in Invermere, British Columbia) is a Canadian photographer and mountain climber who was the first Canadian, and the second person in the world, to have climbed the highest peaks of all seven continents: Mount McKinley in North America [1977] , Aconcagua in South... Puncak Jaya (IPA: /pÊŠn. ... is the 127th day of the year (128th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... Vinson Massif is the highest mountain of Antarctica, located about 1,200 km (750 mi) from the South Pole. ... December 3 is the 337th (in leap years the 338th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 1990, Rob Hall and Gary Ball became the first to complete the Seven Summits in seven months. Using the Bass list, they started with Mount Everest on May 10 1990 and finished with Vinson on December 12, 1990, hours before the seven-month deadline. Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... Rob Hall (1961-1996), New Zealander, was a mountaineer best known for being head guide of a 1996 Mount Everest expedition in which he, a fellow guide, and two clients perished. ... “Everest” redirects here. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 346th day of the year (347th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

The first woman to complete the Bass and Messner lists was Junko Tabei finishing on July 28, 1992 by climbing Elbrus. Junko Tabei (田部井 淳子, born 1939) is a Japanese mountain-climber, who became the first female on the peak of Mount Everest on May 16, 1975. ... is the 209th day of the year (210th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ...

Rhys Jones from the UK, remains the youngest European to have climbed the seven summits, and completed the challenge on his 20th birthday, on May 17, 2006, by summiting Everest. A year later this record was broken by Samantha Larson. During the summer of 2007 Rhys Jones is expected to complete the Arctic Triology.

Samantha Larson, an 18-year-old California woman is believed to be the youngest climber to scale all seven after summiting Everest on May 17, 2007. Samantha Larson (born 1988) is an American mountain climber from Long Beach, California. ...

As of March 2007, more than 198 climbers have 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. While the numbers of completions of the two lists are very close, two statistics suggest the difference in degree of effort:

• Even discounting both the 1985 completions using Kosciuszko (since they could be thought of as a head start before Messner's challenge was made), five more climbers completed the Sevens using Kosciuszko before the third climber completed the feat using Carstensz Pyramid.
• The shortest time span a person has made the seven ascents using Kosciuszko is 172 days.^[3]
• The world record for the Carstensz Pyramid list is 187 Days, by Canadian climber Daniel Griffith in 2006. Griffith completed the summits in the following order: Everest-May 24, McKinley-June 15, Elbrus-July 4, Carstensz Pyramid-Sep 24, Kilimanjaro-Oct 3, Aconcagua-Oct 20 and Vinson-Nov 27.^[4]
• In December 2006 Davo Karničar became the first person to have skied down all seven peaks.^[5]
• On May 16, 2007, 18 year-old Samantha Larson became the youngest American to climb Mount Everest and also the youngest person to climb the Seven Summits.[1]

Davo Karničar is a Slovenian climber and an extreme skier. ... “Everest” redirects here. ...

Criticism of the Seven Summits challenge

Many mountain climbers, beyond these one hundred and ninety eight, aspire to complete the seven ascents of one or both of these lists, but the expense, the demands placed on fitness, the physical hardship and the dangers involved are often greater than imagined. Popularization of the Seven Summits has not been without its detractors, who argue that it tempts the ambitious but inexperienced into paying large sums to professional guides who promise the "seven", and that the guides are therefore pressured to press on toward summits even to the detriment of their clients' safety.^{[citation needed]} Rock climbers on Valkyrie at The Roaches in Staffordshire, England. ...

Alpinism author Jon Krakauer (1997) wrote in Into Thin Air that it would be a bigger challenge to climb the second-highest peak of each continent, knowns as the Seven Second Summits. This is especially true for Asia, as K2 (8,611 m) demands greater technical climbing skills than Everest (8,848 m), while altitude-related factors such as the thinness of the atmosphere, high winds and low temperatures remain much the same. Some of those completing the seven ascents are aware of the magnitude of the challenge. In 2000, in a foreword to Steve Bell et al., Seven Summits, Morrow opined with humility '[t]he only reason Reinhold [Messner] wasn’t the first person to complete the seven was that he was too busy gambolling up the 14 tallest mountains in the world.' Jon Krakauer Jon Krakauer (born April 12, 1954), is an American non-fiction author and mountaineer, well-known for outdoor and mountain-climbing writing. ... Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. ... The Seven Second Summits are the second highest mountains of each of the seven continents. ... K2 is the second-highest mountain on Earth. ... “Everest” redirects here. ...

References

• Bell, Steve; et al. (2000). Seven Summits. Mitchell Beazley . ISBN 9024606063. 
• Bass, Dick; Frank Wells, Rick Ridgeway (1986). Seven Summits. Warner Books. ISBN 0-446-51312-1. 
• Morrow, Patrick (1986). Beyond Everest - Quest For the Seven Summits. Camden House. ISBN 0-920656-46-3. 
• Krakauer, Jon (1997). Into thin Air. Villard. ISBN 0-385-49208-1. 
• The Seven Summits. adventurestats.com. Retrieved on 2006-08-08. Note: statistics outdated, not updated since 2004
• Statistics, Facts & figures of all 7summiteers!. 7summits.com. Retrieved on 2006-08-09. Updated until March 2007, 198 summiteers.
• Carstensz Pyramid, the Summit of Oceania. 7summits.com. Retrieved on 2006-08-08.

Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 220th day of the year (221st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 221st day of the year (222nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 220th day of the year (221st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Notes

1. ^ A higher elevation of 5,030 m still appears on some maps and sites, but is accepted by neither Indonesia nor the mountaineering community, nor is it supported by modern surveys. High resolution IFSAR data supplied by Intermap shows no cell higher than 4,863m. See also Australian Universities' Expedition (section 2, page 4).
2. ^ The Seven Summits. adventurestats.com.
3. ^ Facts & figures of all 7 summiteers. 7summits.com.
4. ^ "Canadian man climbs highest mountains on seven continents in 187 days", CBC, 2006-11-28. 
5. ^ Facts & figures of all 7 summiteers. 7summits.com.

Interferometric synthetic aperture radar, also abbreviated InSAR or IfSAR, is a radar technique used in geodesy and remote sensing. ...

See also

• Seven Second Summits
• Volcanic Seven Summits

The Seven Second Summits are the second highest mountains of each of the seven continents. ... The Volcanic Seven Summits on an Elevation World Map. ...

External links

• 7summits.com, voluminous information within commercial site