Editing Seven Summits (section)

==Definitions==
The Seven Summits consist of the highest mountain peak on each of the continents. Different lists include slight variations, but generally, the same core is maintained. The seven summits depend on the definition used for a continent – in particular the location of the border of that continent. This results in two major points of variation. The first one is [[Mont Blanc]] versus [[Mount Elbrus]] for [[Europe]], which depends on whether the crest of the [[Greater Caucasus|Greater Caucasus Mountains]] is taken to [[Boundaries between the continents of Earth#Modern definition|define]] the [[Greater Caucasus#Watershed|Greater Caucasus watershed]] which marks the continental boundary between Asia and Europe for the region between the [[Black Sea|Black]] and [[Caspian Sea|Caspian]] seas; this classification would place Mount Elbrus in Europe.<ref>{{Citation|last=National Geographic Maps (Firm)|title=Atlas of the world|date=2011|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/671359683|place=Washington, D.C.|publisher=National Geographic Society|isbn=978-1-4262-0632-0|oclc=671359683|access-date=2021-01-09}}</ref> The second one is [[Puncak Jaya]] (also known as "Carstensz Pyramid") versus [[Mount Kosciuszko]] for the [[Australia (continent)|continent of Australia]], which depends on whether one includes the [[Sahul Shelf]] or only [[mainland Australia]] as the continent. This also gives rise to another list called the "[[Eight Summits]]", which includes both Puncak Jaya and Mount Kosciuszko along with the six summits on the other continents.

This creates several possible versions of the seven summits:

*[[Mount Everest|Everest]], [[Aconcagua]], [[Denali|Denali (Mount McKinley)]], [[Mount Kilimanjaro|Kilimanjaro]], [[Vinson Massif|Vinson]], [[Mount Elbrus|Elbrus]], [[Mount Wilhelm]] (Continent)
*Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Vinson, Elbrus, [[Mount Kosciuszko|Kosciuszko]] (the [[Richard Bass|Bass]] version)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0777282.html|title=Climbing the Seven Summits|website=www.infoplease.com}}</ref>
*Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Vinson, Elbrus, [[Puncak Jaya]] (the [[Reinhold Messner|Messner]] version)
*Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Vinson, Mont Blanc, [[Mount Wilhelm]] (the Wilhelm version) <ref>{{Cite web |title=Climbing the Seven Summits: Which mountaineering challenge variation is the safest? |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/climbing-the-seven-summits-which-mountaineering-challenge-variation-is-the-safest |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=thehimalayantimes.com}}</ref>
*Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Vinson, [[Mont Blanc]], Kosciuszko (the 1950s explorer Hackett version)
*Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Vinson, Mont Blanc, Puncak Jaya
*Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Vinson, [[Mauna Kea]], Puncak Jaya / Kosciuszko (the tectonic version)

The concept Richard Bass and his climbing partner [[Frank Wells]] were pursuing was to be the first to stand atop the highest mountain on each continent.<ref name="Bass">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/2003/11/12/cz_jc_1112sport.html|title=The Adventurer: Dick Bass' Many Summits|date = 12 November 2003 |work = Forbes}}</ref> They pursued this goal as they defined it, climbing Aconcagua for [[South America]], Denali for [[North America]], Kilimanjaro for [[Africa]], Elbrus for [[Europe]], Vinson for [[Antarctica]], Kosciuszko for [[mainland Australia|Australia]], and finally Everest for [[Asia]].<ref name="Bass"/>

=== Safety and climbing preference ===
In terms of safety and preference for climbers, Western countries' reactions to the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] has affected Western climbers' ability to travel to Russia, making [[Mount Elbrus|Elbrus]] less attractive. Similarly, Puncak Jaya in New Guinea has been closed due to security concerns and the risks posed by ongoing tribal conflicts and mining operations. These challenges have prevented climbers from accessing the area, further complicated by a security lockdown since August 2019. The situation escalated in February 2023 when Papuan rebels of [[Free Papua Movement]] took New Zealand pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens hostage, an event known as [[Nduga hostage crisis]], signaling a new level of risk for foreigners in New Guinea highlands.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Miss you both': New Zealand pilot held hostage in Papua for over a year speaks to family in new video |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2024/02/14/philip-mark-mehrtens-west-papua-liberation-army-new-video/72590135007/ |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}}</ref> The rebels' declaration of ''"all foreigners are now target"'' marked an intensification of the conflict, making travel to New Guinea highly advised against. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Mayberry |first=Kate |title=New Zealand pilot kidnapping exposes Indonesia's Papua 'hotspot' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/5/new-zealand-pilot-kidnapping-exposes-indonesias-papua-hotspot |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> Consequently, many climbers postponed their expedition to climb Carstensz Pyramid until the regional conflict subsides.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Corlett |first=Eva |date=2024-02-07 |title=New Zealand pilot kidnapped a year ago in West Papua will be freed, rebel group says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/07/kidnapped-nz-pilot-phillip-mehrtens-release-west-papua |access-date=2024-04-14 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

In summary, the [[Mount Wilhelm]] version of the Seven Summits currently presents the safest option for climbers, avoiding travel to Russia and New Guinea. [[Papua New Guinea]] remains a relatively safer option for mountaineers, and Mount Wilhelm offers an excellent high mountain expedition experience as the highest peak in [[Oceania]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 April 2024 |title=Climbing the Seven Summits: Which mountaineering challenge variation is the safest? |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/climbing-the-seven-summits-which-mountaineering-challenge-variation-is-the-safest |access-date=14 April 2024 |website=The Himalayan Times}}</ref>

===Definition using tectonic plates===
[[File:Plates_tect2_en.svg|thumb|Tectonic plates (see [[list of tectonic plates]])]]

Using the largest [[list of tectonic plates|tectonic plates]], Asia and Europe could be grouped as [[Eurasia]], and the very large [[Pacific Plate]] would have Mauna Kea as its highest mountain.<ref name = essay>{{cite web|url= http://www.cohp.org/personal/Seven_Summits_essay/seven_summits_essay.html|title=Seven Summits: Defining the Continents |website=www.cohp.org|first = Adam|last = Helman|date = 2008}}</ref> Puncak Jaya is actually on the [[Maoke Plate]], while Mount Wilhelm is, depending upon evolving plate tectonic understanding, on either the [[Trobriand Plate]], [[Solomon Sea Plate]], or [[Woodlark Plate]], all of whom were historically grouped with the larger Australian Plate. If not, then [[Mount Kosciuszko]] would revert to being the highest of that plate (see also [[list of highest points of Oceanian countries]]).

*[[African Plate]] – Kilimanjaro
*[[Antarctic Plate]] – Vinson  	
*[[Australian Plate]] – Puncak Jaya / Kosciuszko
*[[Eurasian Plate]] – Mount Everest
*[[North American Plate]] – Denali 	
*[[Pacific Plate]] – [[Mauna Kea]]
*[[South American Plate]] – Aconcagua