Editing Seven Summits

{{Short description|Set of highest mountains on each of the seven continents}}
{{Seven Summits Map|caption=A map of the Seven Summits, including variants that may or may not be included depending on the definition used (see below)}}
The '''Seven Summits''' are the highest [[mountain]]s on each of the seven traditional [[continent]]s. On 30 April 1985, [[Richard Bass]] became the first climber to reach the summit of all seven.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.npr.org/2019/06/05/728761498/the-summit-is-never-the-goal-why-climbers-pursue-the-7-summits |title='The Summit Is Never The Goal': Why Climbers Pursue The 7 Summits |publisher=NPR |last=Clukey |first=Abigail |date=2019-06-05 |access-date=2019-07-22}}</ref>  

In January 2023, ''[[Climbing (magazine)|Climbing]]'' said "Today, the Seven Summits are a relatively common—almost cliché—tour of each continent's highest peak",<ref>{{cite web | magazine=[[Climbing (magazine)|Climbing]] | url=https://www.climbing.com/people/an-americans-grand-slam/ | title=Book Review: Becoming the First American to Complete the Explorer’s Grand Slam | date=3 January 2023 |accessdate=6 January 2023| first=Daniel | last=Noonan}}</ref> and while reaching the peak of the "Seven Summits" is no longer considered a significant achievement amongst mountaineers, it remains a popular challenge for "adventure mountaineers" using [[expedition climbing]] techniques.

==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

==Oceania==
[[File:Mount Wilhelm.jpg|thumb|Mount Wilhelm]]

The highest mountain in [[mainland Australia]] is [[Mount Kosciuszko]], {{Convert|2228|m|ft|0|lk=on}} [[height above sea level|above sea level]]. However, the highest mountain on the [[Australia (continent)|Australian continent]], which also includes [[New Guinea]], is [[Puncak Jaya]] (Carstensz Pyramid), {{Convert|4884|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} above sea level,{{efn|1=A higher elevation of {{Convert|5030|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} 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 [[Interferometric synthetic-aperture radar|IFSAR]] data supplied by [http://www.intermap.com/ Intermap] shows no cell higher than {{Convert|4863|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}. See also [http://www.papuaweb.org/dlib/bk/hope1976/index.html Australian Universities' Expedition] (section 2, page 4).}} in the [[Indonesia]]n province of [[Central Papua]] on the island of New Guinea, which shares the [[Sahul Shelf|Sahul continental shelf]] with Australia. Mount Kosciuszko is considerably easier to climb, requiring only a four-hour, grade 3 return walk from the nearest car park,<ref>{{cite web |title=Kosciuszko walk - Thredbo to Mount Kosciuszko |url=https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/kosciuszko-walk-thredbo-to-mount-kosciuszko |website=NSW National Parks |publisher=NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service |access-date=1 February 2021 |language=en}}</ref> while Puncak Jaya requires a mountaineering expedition with technical climbing, an approach through dense jungle and the need to charter an aircraft.

Some sources claim [[Mount Wilhelm]] ({{Convert|4509|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}) in [[Papua New Guinea]]'s [[Bismarck Range]] (on the island of New Guinea, like Puncak Jaya) as the highest mountain on the Australian continent, on account of Indonesia being a part of [[Asia]]<ref>[http://www.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/ljetopis/2007/51-bind.pdf Statistical Yearbook of Croatia, 2007]</ref> (see [[list of Southeast Asian mountains]], which includes Puncak Jaya and other mountains in [[Western New Guinea]], Indonesia). However, such a definition is [[United Nations geoscheme for Oceania|political]], not geophysical, and would mean that the western part of New Guinea [[History_of_Western_New_Guinea#Incorporation_into_Indonesia|changed continents in 1969]].

In terms of Australia as a country, [[Mawson Peak]] ({{Convert|2745|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}) is higher than Kosciuszko. However, it is not located in Oceania, but in the Australian external territory of [[Heard Island and McDonald Islands]] in the southern Indian Ocean. [[Mt McClintock]] ({{Convert|3490|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}) is located within the claimed [[Australian Antarctic Territory]] and is the highest peak within territory claimed by Australia, but it is again not in Oceania.<ref>{{cite web|author=[[Geoscience Australia]]|title=Highest Mountains|url=https://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/national-location-information/landforms/highest-mountains|language=en|access-date=13 October 2024}}</ref>  If the island of [[New Guinea]] is excluded, then [[Aoraki / Mount Cook|Mount Cook]] on the [[South Island]] of [[New Zealand]] is the highest mountain in [[Australasia]] at {{Convert|3,724|m|ft|abbr=on}}.

Entities listing Mount Wilhelm as the highest point in Oceania or showing boundaries putting Puncak Jaya in Asia include the United Nations,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/english/htmain.htm|title=United Nations Geospatial Information Section Web Site|website=www.un.org}}</ref> the website 7 Continent Summits,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.7continentsummits.com/|title=7 Continent Summits |website=7 Continent Summits}}</ref> World Atlas,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/world.htm|title=World Atlas / World Map / Atlas of the World Including Geography Facts and Flags |website=www.worldatlas.com}}</ref> the ''CIA World Factbook'',<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/indonesia/|title=East Asia/Southeast Asia :: Indonesia – The World Factbook|website=www.cia.gov|date=25 January 2022}}</ref> ''Canada Atlas'',<ref>{{cite web |url= http://ftp.geogratis.gc.ca/pub/nrcan_rncan/raster/atlas_6_ed/reference/eng/oceania_eng.jpg |title= Map|format=JPG}}</ref> and Papua New Guinea PNG Trekking.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.pngtrekkingadventures.com/|title=PNG trekking adventures &#124; Battlefield Treks and Culture|website=www.pngtrekkingadventures.com}}</ref>

==Europe==
[[File:Mont Blanc 2005 118.jpg|thumb|Mont Blanc summit]]

The generally accepted highest summit in Europe is [[Mount Elbrus]] ({{Convert|5642|m|ft|0|disp=or|abbr=on}}) in the [[Caucasus Mountains|Caucasus]], appearing on both the Bass and Messner lists. However, because the location of the [[Boundaries between the continents of Earth#Asia and Europe|boundary between Asia and Europe]] is not universally agreed upon, its inclusion in Europe is disputed: if the [[Kuma–Manych Depression]] is used as the geological border between Asia and Europe, the Caucasus and Elbrus lie wholly in Asia. If the [[Greater Caucasus#Watershed|Greater Caucasus watershed]] is used instead, Elbrus' peaks are wholly in Europe, albeit close to the border with Asia. [[Mont Blanc]] ({{Convert|4810|m|ft|0|disp=or|abbr=on}}), lying on the border between [[France]] and [[Italy]] in the [[Graian Alps]], is seen by some to be the highest mountain in Europe.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.8000ers.com/cms/7-summits-mainmenu-199.html |title=The Seven Summits |publisher=8000ers.com}}</ref>

==North America==
[[Denali|Denali (Mount McKinley)]] is the highest mountain peak in [[North America]]. The [[Caribbean Plate]] and the [[Panama Plate]], both of which share geological processes with the North American continent, have their own highest mountain peaks:<ref name = essay/>

*North America – [[Denali]] ({{Convert|6,194|m|ft|0|abbr=on|disp=or}})
*Caribbean Plate – [[Acatenango|Acatenango Volcano]] ({{Convert|3,976|m|ft|0|abbr=on|disp=or}})<ref>{{cite web |url= http://pendientedemigracion.ucm.es/info/tectact/DOCS/Articulos/Alvarez-Gomez_FEM%20active%20tectonics%20northern%20Central%20America_Tectonics_2008.pdf|title=Constraints from finite element modeling on the active tectonics ofnorthern Central America and the Middle America Trench  |date=2008 |website= pendientedemigracion.ucm.es}}</ref> 
*Panama Plate – [[Mount Chirripó]] ({{Convert|3,819|m|ft|0|abbr=on|disp=or}})

==South America==
[[File:Volcán Chimborazo, "El Taita Chimborazo".jpg|thumb|Chimborazo, the farthest peak from the center of Earth and probably the greatest of the North Andes Plate<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap160225.html |title = Highest, Tallest, and Closest to the Stars |work = Astronomy Picture of the Day|publisher = NASA|date = 25 February 2016}}</ref>]]

[[Aconcagua]] is the highest mountain peak in [[South America]]. The Altiplano Plate and the [[North Andes Plate]], both of which share geological processes with the South American continent, have their own highest mountain peaks:<ref name = essay/>

*South America – [[Aconcagua]] ({{Convert|6,961|m|ft|0|abbr=on|disp=or}})
*Altiplano Plate – presumably [[Nevado Sajama]] ({{Convert|6,542|m|ft|0|abbr=on|disp=or}})
*North Andes Plate – [[Chimborazo]] ({{Convert|6,263|m|ft|0|abbr=on|disp=or}})

==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 ({{Convert|2228|m|ft|0|disp=or|abbr=on}}), to represent the Australian continent's highest summit. [[Reinhold Messner]] postulated another list (the Messner or Carstensz list), replacing Mount Kosciuszko with [[Indonesia]]'s [[Puncak Jaya]], or Carstensz Pyramid ({{Convert|4884|m|ft|0|disp=or|abbr=on}}). 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, [[Patrick 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."{{sfn|Hamill|2012|p=284}}

{{KML}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Seven Summits (sorted by elevation)
|-
! Photograph
! Peak
! width= 40 | Bass list
! width= 40 | Messner list
! Hackett list
! Elevation
! [[topographic prominence|Prominence]]
! Continent
! Mountain Range
! Country
! width= 40 | First ascent
! Coordinates
|-
| [[File:Mt. Everest from Gokyo Ri November 5, 2012.jpg|100px]]
| [[Mount Everest]]
| ✔
| ✔
|✔
| {{Convert|8849|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| {{Convert|8849|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| [[Asia]]
| [[Himalayas]]
| [[China]]<br />[[Nepal]]
| 1953
| {{Mountain coord elev|qid=Q513}} 
|-
| [[File:Aconcagua 13.JPG|100px]]
| [[Aconcagua]]
| ✔
| ✔
|✔
| {{Convert|6961|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| {{Convert|6961|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| [[South America]]
| [[Andes]]
| [[Argentina]]
| 1897
| {{Mountain coord elev|qid=Q39739}} 
|-
| [[File:Mount McKinley.jpg|100px]]
| [[Denali]]
| ✔
| ✔
|✔
| {{Convert|6194|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| {{Convert|6144|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| [[North America]]
| [[Alaska Range]]
| [[United States]]
| 1913
| {{Mountain coord elev|qid=Q130018}} 
|-
| [[File:Mt. Kilimanjaro 12.2006.jpg|100px]]
| [[Mount Kilimanjaro|Kilimanjaro]]
| ✔
| ✔
|✔
| {{Convert|5895|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| {{Convert|5885|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| [[Africa]]
| –
| [[Tanzania]]
| 1889
| {{Mountain coord elev|qid=Q7296}} 
|-
| [[File:Эльбрус с перевала Гумбаши.JPG|100px]]
| [[Mount Elbrus]]
| ✔
| ✔
|
| {{Convert|5642|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| {{Convert|4741|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| [[Europe]]
| [[Caucasus Mountains]]
| [[Russia]]
| 1874
| {{Mountain coord elev|qid=Q43105}} 
|-
| [[File:Mount Vinson from NW at Vinson Plateau by Christian Stangl (flickr).jpg|100px]]
| [[Vinson Massif|Mount Vinson]]
| ✔
| ✔
|✔
| {{Convert|4892|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| {{Convert|4892|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| [[Antarctica]]
| [[Sentinel Range]]
| –
| 1966
| {{Mountain coord elev|qid=Q163758}} 
|-
| [[File:Puncakjaya.jpg|100px]]
| [[Puncak Jaya]]
|
| ✔
|
| {{Convert|4884|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| {{Convert|4884|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| [[Australia (continent)|Australia]]
| [[Sudirman Range]]
| [[Indonesia]]
| 1962
| {{Mountain coord elev|qid=Q1045888}} 
|-
| [[File:Mont Blanc @ Chemin des Frêtes de Colomban @ Manigod (50880378908).jpg|frameless|100x100px]]
| [[Mont Blanc]]
|
|
|✔
| 4,810 m (15,781 ft)
| 4,696 m (15,407 ft)
| [[Europe]]
| [[Alps]]
| [[France]]<br />[[Italy]]
| 1786
| {{Mountain coord elev|qid=Q583}} 
|-
| [[File:Mount Kosciuszko01Oct06.JPG|100px]]
| [[Mount Kosciuszko]]
| ✔
|
|✔
| {{Convert|2228|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| {{Convert|2228|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| [[Australia (continent)|Australia]]
| [[Great Dividing Range]]
| [[Australia]]
| 1840 
| {{Mountain coord elev|qid=Q178167}} 
|}

{{wide image|Comparison of highest mountains.svg|640px|Comparison of the heights of the Seven Summits with the [[eight-thousander]]s and the [[Seven Second Summits]]}}
[[File:7summits_v2.jpg|alt=7summits v2|center|thumb|638x638px|Comparison of the highest peaks of each continents]]

===History===
[[File:Mount Everest, Nepal, Himalayas.jpg|thumb|Everest]]In 1956, [[William Hackett (mountaineer)|William D. Hackett]] (1918–1999), an American mountaineer, reached the top of five continents. He climbed Denali (then known as Mount McKinley) (1947), Aconcagua (1949), Kilimanjaro (1950), Kosciuszko (1956) and Mont Blanc (1956). At that time, Mont Blanc was considered to be the highest mountain of the European continent. Hackett made an attempt to climb Mount Vinson and obtained a permit for Mount Everest in 1960, but due to several circumstances (frostbite, lack of funds, etc.), he never made it to more than five summits.<ref name=AAJ2000>{{cite aaj|article_id=12200043500|title=In Memoriam – William D. Hackett, 1918–1999|year=2000|volume=42|issue=74|page=435|access-date=2024-01-03}}</ref><ref name="historysevensummits">abc-of-mountaineering.com [http://www.abc-of-mountaineering.com/articles/historysevensummits.asp ''"History of the Quest for the Seven Summits (2004)"''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017102247/http://www.abc-of-mountaineering.com/articles/historysevensummits.asp |date=2015-10-17 }} Retrieved 2 January 2015.</ref><ref>British Mountaineering Council: [https://www.thebmc.co.uk/christian-stangl-completes-the-triple-seven-summits ''"60 years of Seven Summits peak bagging (29/08/2013)"''] by Lindsay Griffin, thebmc.co.uk, Retrieved 2 January 2015.</ref>

In 1970, the Japanese mountaineer and adventurer [[Naomi Uemura]] (1941-1984) was the first person to reach five of the Seven Summits including Mount Everest. He climbed Mont Blanc (1966), Kilimanjaro (1966), Aconcagua (1968), Mount Everest (1970 solo) and Denali (1970 solo). After the first solo trip to the [[North Pole]] (1978), he planned to go on his own to Antarctica to climb Mount Vinson. In preparation for the Antarctica expedition, he did a solo winter ascent of Denali (1984). On the descent he disappeared in a winter storm.<ref name="historysevensummits" /><ref>[http://nikon.com/about/feelnikon/recollections/r23_e/ Naomi Uemura, renowned Japanese adventurer"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108113138/http://nikon.com/about/feelnikon/recollections/r23_e/ |date=2015-01-08 }}, nikon.com, Retrieved 2 January 2015.</ref>

In 1978, the Italian mountaineer [[Reinhold Messner]] was the first person to reach six of the Seven Summits (1971 Puncak Jaya, 1974 Aconcagua, 1976 Denali (Mount McKinley), 1978 Kilimanjaro, 1978 Mount Everest). For Messner, Carstensz Pyramid (Puncak Jaya) was the highest peak in Australia (Messner list), but in 1983, he climbed Mount Kosciuszko to also satisfy the other geographic definition of Australia. In the same year, Messner climbed Mount Elbrus and declared that it was the true highest peak in Europe. This definition was quickly accepted by others in the mountaineering community. Finally in 1986, he climbed Mount Vinson. At that time, he was only the fifth person to reach the Seven Summits.<ref name="historysevensummits" />[[File:Sunrise views from the summit of Mount Kosciuszko, Kosciuszko National Park 56.jpg|thumb|Mount Kosciuszko summit]]In 1985, [[Richard Bass]], a businessman and amateur mountaineer, was the first man to climb all Seven Summits. In only one year, 1983, he climbed six peaks: Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Mount Elbrus, Mount Vinson and Mount Kosciuszko. All of these climbs he did together with his companion [[Frank Wells]] and different mountain guides. Beginning in 1983, Bass and Wells made various guided attempts to climb Mount Everest, the highest and most difficult peak in the list. On 30 April 1985, Bass reached the summit of Mount Everest in a party without Wells, guided by the American professional mountaineer [[David Breashears]]. He then co-authored the book ''Seven Summits'', which covered the undertaking.{{Sfn|Bass|Wells|Ridgeway|1986}}<ref name="historysevensummits" /> Later in 1985, American mountaineer Gerry Roach became the second person to climb the Seven Summits.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.climb.mountains.com/About_GJ_files/About_Gerry.shtml |title=About Gerry Roach |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=climb.mountains.com |access-date=2 November 2017 |quote="After climbing Mount Everest in 1983, he went on to become the second person to climb the highest peak on each of the seven continents in 1985."}}</ref>

In 1986, the Canadian mountaineer [[Patrick Morrow]] became the first man to climb the Seven Summits in the Carstensz version (Messner list). He climbed Denali (1977), Aconcagua (1981), Mount Everest (1982), Kilimanjaro (1983), Mount Kosciuszko (1983), Mount Vinson (1985), Mount Elbrus (1985) and finally the Puncak Jaya (Carstensz Pyramid) on May 7, 1986. Morrow was also the first to complete both lists (Bass and Messner).<ref name="historysevensummits" /><ref name="7summits">Jahoda, Petr (2006). [http://www.carstenszpapua.com/7summits-history.html ''History of 7 Summits project&nbsp;– who was first?'']. carstenszpapua.com. Retrieved 24 March 2015.</ref>

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 Everest on 10 May 1990, and finished with Vinson on 12 December 1990, hours before the seven-month deadline.{{sfn|Krakauer|1997|pp=44–45}}

In 1992, [[Junko Tabei]] became the first woman to complete the "Seven Summits".<ref name="si1996">{{cite magazine | url = https://www.si.com/vault/1996/04/29/212374/no-mountain-too-high-for-her-junko-tabei-defied-japanese-views-of-women-to-become-an-expert-climber | title = No Mountain Too High For Her: Junko Tabei defied Japanese views of women to become an expert climber | first = Robert | last = Horn | magazine = [[Sports Illustrated]] | date = 29 April 1996 }}</ref> [[Mary Lefever|Mary "Dolly" Lefever]] became the first American woman to climb the "Seven Summits" on March 11, 1993, when she climbed Australia's [[Mount Kosciuszko]].<ref name="everesthistory1">{{cite web |url=http://www.everesthistory.com/climbers/dollylefever.htm |title=Mary "Dolly" Lefever |publisher= EverestHistory.com |date=1993-05-10 |access-date=2013-06-04}}</ref><ref name="outsideonline1">{{cite web|last=Balf |first=Todd |url=http://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/Mountaineering--One-Per-Continent.html |title=Mountaineering: One Per Continent |work=[[Outside (magazine)|Outside]] |date=May 2, 2004 |access-date=2013-06-04}}</ref> Earlier in 1993, she had become the oldest surviving woman to have reached the summit of Mount Everest; she was 47 years old.<ref name= "everesthistory1" /> In January 1996, Chris Haver became the first American to climb and ski all seven summits.<ref name="Tharp">{{cite news|title=One Skier's Seven Summit Quest|last=Tharp|first= Mike |date=1996-01-29|newspaper=U.S. News & World Report}}</ref> [[Yasuko Namba]] was famous in her native Japan for becoming the second Japanese woman to reach all of the Seven Summits including Everest, where she died during the storm of May 1996 during her descent.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/everest/expeditions/96/week2/newsflash/news52.html |title=Everest Quest|date=May 2, 1996|website=Nova Online|first = Audrey |last=Salkeld}}</ref>

[[File:Gavin Antarctica Vinson 2000.jpg|thumb|A climber ascending [[Vinson Massif|Mount Vinson]]]]In 2000, Croatian mountaineer [[Stipe Božić]] completed the Seven Summits.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.everesthistory.com/climbers/stipe.htm |title=Stipe Bozic |work=EverestHistory.com |access-date=10 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914054128/http://www.everesthistory.com:80/climbers/stipe.htm |archive-date=14 September 2015 }}</ref> In May 2002, [[Susan Ershler]] and her husband, Phil, became the first married couple to climb the "Seven Summits" together.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ershlers First Couple to Climb the Seven Summits|publisher=International Mountain Guides|url=http://www.mountainguides.com/pop_ershlers_everest.shtml}}</ref> The first person to climb the Seven Summits without using supplemental oxygen on Mount Everest is Reinhold Messner.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.carstenszpapua.com/7summits-history.html |title=History of Seven Summits|publisher=carstenszpapua.com}}</ref> Miroslav Caban is the second climber to finish the project without supplemental oxygen on Everest (finished in 2005 with Carstensz). Ed Viesturs also summitted all peaks without supplemental oxygen.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.praguepost.com/articles/2005/10/19/czech-climber-tops-seven-summits.php|title=Czech climber tops seven summits|date=19 October 2005 |publisher=The Prague Post}}</ref> Between 2002 and 2007, Austrian climber [[Christian Stangl]] completed the Seven Summits (Messner list), climbing alone and without supplemental oxygen, and reported a record total ascent time from respective base camp to summit of 58 hours and 45 minutes.<ref name="sz2">[http://www.sueddeutsche.de/gesundheit/artikel/137/146795/ 58 Stunden, 45 Minuten] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410083419/http://www.sueddeutsche.de/gesundheit/artikel/137/146795/ |date=April 10, 2008 }}, ''[[Süddeutsche Zeitung]]'', 10 December 2007. {{in lang|de}}</ref><ref>[http://www.mounteverest.net/news.php?id=15272 Fastest Everest climber eats 3, 6000m peaks in 16 hours] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080812233326/http://www.mounteverest.net/news.php?id=15272 |date=2008-08-12 }}, MountEverest.net, 9 November 2006</ref>

On 17 May 2006, [[Rhys Jones (mountaineer)|Rhys Jones]] became the youngest person to complete the Seven Summits (Bass list) at the age of exactly 20 years.<ref name="rhys1">{{Cite journal|title=Youngest ever mountaineer completes seven summit challenge|url=http://scout.org/information_events/news/2006/youngest_ever_mountaineer_completes_seven_summit_challengepublisher=Scout.org|access-date=17 May 2006}}{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="Rhys2">{{cite news|title=Rhys' Everest Adventure|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/hampshire/content/articles/2006/04/24/rhys_jones_everest_feature.shtml|work=BBC.co.uk|access-date=1 April 2008}}</ref> Notable climbers who had previously been the youngest to complete the Seven Summits include Rob Hall in 1990 and David Keaton in 1995. In May 2007, [[Samantha Larson]] completed the seven at the age of 18 years and 220 days (she is still the youngest woman to have climbed the Seven Summits). Johnny Strange finished climbing the summits at the age of 17 years and 161 days in June 2009.<ref name="riddel">{{cite journal |last=Riddel |first=Brad |date=November 2009 |title=On Top of the World |journal=[[Boys' Life]]|page=7 |url=http://boyslife.org/video-audio/10570/johnny-strange-talks-about-climbing-the-seven-summits/ |access-date=September 26, 2012}}</ref><ref name="thomas">{{cite news |title=Malibu's Johnny Strange, 17, becomes youngest to bag Seven Summits |first=Thomas |last=Pete |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/06/malibus-johnny-strange-17-becomes-youngest-to-bag-seven-summmits.html |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=June 9, 2009 |access-date=September 26, 2012}}</ref> On 26 May 2011, at 6:45 Nepali time, [[Geordie Stewart]] became the youngest Briton to complete the Seven Summits at the age of 22 years and 21 days. In 2009-10, Indian mountaineer [[Krushnaa Patil]] made a bid for the fastest woman to complete the challenge; she fell short of the challenge when, in May 2009, her seventh and final summit bid on [[Denali]] was halted by her guide's illness.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://krushnaapatil.com/about/|title=Krushnaa Patil: Bio|date=9 October 2014|access-date=2019-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630232046/http://krushnaapatil.com/about/|archive-date=2018-06-30|url-status=usurped}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130601/jsp/jharkhand/story_16959425.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608070449/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130601/jsp/jharkhand/story_16959425.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 8, 2013|title=Supermom wins Seven Summit title}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-after-everest-krushnaa-patil-sets-sight-on-new-peaks-1517056|title=After Everest, Krushnaa Patil sets sight on new peaks |date=8 March 2011}}</ref> [[George Atkinson (climber)|George Atkinson]] then became the youngest person in the world to complete the round aged 16 years 362 days.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-13564461 | work=BBC News | title=Hampshire climber Geordie Stewart held record for two hours | date=May 26, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Peter |last=Dominiczak |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23953850-youngest-briton-to-scale-worlds-top-peaks.do |title=Youngest Briton to scale world's top peaks – News – Evening Standard |publisher=Thisislondon.co.uk |date=2011-05-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805004056/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23953850-youngest-briton-to-scale-worlds-top-peaks.do |archive-date=2011-08-05 }}</ref> On 24 December 2011, the record was once again beaten, by American [[Jordan Romero]], who completed the challenge at the age of 15 years, 5 months and 12 days by climbing Vinson.<ref>{{cite news|title=California teen becomes youngest to climb 7 summits|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-12-24/calif-teen-climber/52213128/1|agency=Associated Press|access-date=2012-11-24|date=December 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/24/jordan-romero-mt-vinson-calif-teen-seven-summits_n_1169101.html | work=Huffington Post | title=Jordan Romero Climbs Mt. Vinson Massif: Calif. Teen Becomes Youngest To Climb 7 Summits | date=December 24, 2011}}</ref>

In October 2006, [[Kit Deslauriers]] became the first person to have skied down (parts of) all seven peaks (Bass list).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kitdski.com/skiMountaineering.php |title=Kit Deslauriers Ski Mountaineering Highlights |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930180208/http://kitdski.com/skiMountaineering.php |archive-date=2013-09-30 }}</ref> Three months later, in January 2007, Swedes Olof Sundström and Martin Letzter completed their Seven Summits skiing project by skiing down (parts of) Carstensz Pyramid, thus becoming the first and only people to have skied both lists.<ref>{{cite web|first=Martin |last=Letzter |url=http://www.se7ensummits.com |title=Se7en Summits |publisher=Se7en Summits }}</ref>

Indian mountaineer [[Malli Mastan Babu]] also had the eminence of setting a [[Guinness World Records|Guinness world record]] by surmounting the Seven Summits in 172 days in 2006.<ref name="lewis">{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/travel/climb-every-mountain-20120421-1xe73.html|title=Climb every mountain|last=Lewis|first=Daniel|date=April 22, 2012|access-date=26 October 2012|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]}}</ref> The world record for completion of the Messner and Bass list was 136 days, by Danish climber Henrik Kristiansen in 2008. Kristiansen completed the summits in the following order: Vinson on Jan 21, Aconcagua on Feb 6, Kosciuszko on Feb 13, Kilimanjaro on Mar 1, Carstensz Pyramid on Mar 14, Elbrus on May 8, Everest on May 25, spending just 22 days on the mountain (normally, expeditions take up to two months acclimatizing, laying ropes, etc.) and finally Denali on June 5, beating [[Ian McKeever (mountaineer)|Ian McKeever]]'s previous record by 20 days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://7-summits.dk/|title=7-SUMMITS.DK Expedition 2008|website=7-summits.dk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/cp/Oddities/061128/K112821AU.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526235349/http://www.cbc.ca/cp/Oddities/061128/K112821AU.html |archive-date=2012-05-26 |title=Canadian man climbs highest mountains on seven continents in 187 days |publisher=CBC |date=2006-11-28 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Vernon Tejas|Vern Tejas]] set the new record for the same, in 134 days. Tejas began with summiting Vinson on 18 January 2010 and ended with summiting Denali on May 31. This was Tejas' ninth time to complete the Bass Seven Summits.

In January 2010, the Spanish climber [[Carlos Soria Fontán]], at the age of 71, completed the seven summits (Messner list) after reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro. He climbed the first one in 1968.<ref name="7cims">{{Cite web|url=http://www.diariodenavarra.es/20100128/deportes/carlos-soria-culmina-siete-cumbres-casi-71-anos.html?not=2010012802385768&idnot=2010012802385768&dia=20100128&seccion=deportes&seccion2=masNavarra&chnl=20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930202240/http://www.diariodenavarra.es/20100128/deportes/carlos-soria-culmina-siete-cumbres-casi-71-anos.html?not=2010012802385768&idnot=2010012802385768&dia=20100128&seccion=deportes&seccion2=masNavarra&chnl=20|url-status=dead|title=Carlos Soria culmina las "Siete Cumbres" casi a los 71 años|archive-date=September 30, 2011}}</ref> On 23 May 2010, [[AC Sherpa]] summited [[Mount Everest]] as his last and final conquest of the Seven Summits (Bass list). In doing this, he set a new record by climbing the Seven Summits within 42 climbing days. Additionally, when climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (via Marangu) he summited in just 16 hours and 37 minutes, easily beating the previous record of 18 hours.

On 24 December 2011, it was reported that only 118 people had climbed the Seven Summits if one assumes "full" completion of the quest requires climbing the "Eight Summits" across both the Bass and Messner lists (climbing both Carstensz Pyramid and Kosciusko in addition to the other six "undisputed" summits such as Everest). 231 persons have climbed the Messner list, while 234 have completed the Bass list. 348 have done either the Bass or Messner list.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.7summits.com/|title=The seven summits, the highest peaks of the 7 continents: Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Vinson, Carstensz! Trips, Statistics & information!|website=www.7summits.com}}</ref>

In 2013, [[Vanessa O'Brien]] became the fastest female to complete the Seven Summits (including Carstensz Pyramid), finishing in 10 months.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/culturedesk/2013/04/18/climber/QE0KzoLvVoOYpdvZSIJvUO/story.html |title=Boston's Vanessa O'Brien Completes 'Explorer's Grand Slam' in Record Time |publisher=Boston.com|date=April 2013}}</ref> [[Cason Crane]] became the first openly gay man to climb the Seven Summits.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.out.com/out-exclusives/out100-2013/2013/11/07/out100-cason-crane|title=Cason Crane|date=November 7, 2013|work=[[Out (magazine)|Out]]|access-date=March 11, 2014}}</ref> On 21 November 2013, Werner Berger (Canada, ex-South African), at the age of 76 years and 129 days, became the oldest person in the world to complete the Seven Summits after a 6-day jungle trek to Carstensz Pyramid. In 2013, [[Cheryl Bart|Cheryl]] and [[Nikki Bart]] became the first mother-daughter team to complete the Seven Summits.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ostrow |first1=Ruth |title=Total Success: How Cheryl Bart's heights reveal great depths |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/columnists/total-success-how-cheryl-barts-heights-reveal-great-depths/news-story/8da0b06d0d0b7d539eff819e636b11e7 |access-date=26 October 2018 |newspaper=The Australian |date=28 March 2014}}</ref>

On 16 December 2014, [[Tashi and Nungshi Malik]] became the world's first twins and siblings to complete the Seven Summits (Messner list). [[Colin O'Brady]] broke the record for the Messner and Bass lists in 131 days, summiting Vinson on 17 January 2016 and completing with Denali on 27 May 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/setting-an-epic-world-record/|title=Setting an epic world record|website=www.cbsnews.com|date=5 June 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.outsideonline.com/2099281/how-did-colin-obrady-shatter-absolutely-insane-endurance-and-adventure-record|title=How Did Colin O'Brady Shatter an Absolutely Insane Endurance and Adventure Record?|last=Stulberg|first=Brad|date=2016-07-19|newspaper=Outside Online|access-date=2017-01-24|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.mensjournal.com/adventure/articles/the-behind-the-scenes-drama-on-climber-colin-obradys-record-shattering-expedition-w208958|title=Behind-the-Scenes of Colin O'Brady's Record-Shattering Expedition|newspaper=Men's Journal|access-date=2017-01-24}}</ref>

The youngest person to complete both the Seven Summits and the Volcanic Seven Summits is [[Satyarup Siddhanta]] from India.<ref>{{cite web |title=Youngest person to climb the Seven Summits and the Seven Volcanic Summits |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/481617-youngest-person-to-climb-the-seven-summits-and-the-seven-volcanic-summits/|website=www.guinnessworldrecords.com|date=15 January 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kolkata man world's youngest to scale seven peaks, seven volcanic summits |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/kolkata-man-worlds-youngest-to-scale-seven-peaks-seven-volcanic-summits/articleshow/67561993.cms |publisher=Times of India |date=January 2019}}</ref> He completed the feat on 15 Jan 2019 after summitting Mt Sidley, Antarctica at the age of 35 years 261 days breaking the record of Daniel Bull from Australia. He was also the first Indian to accomplish the feat and created a [[Guinness World Records|Guinness world record]].

On 6 January 2018, Chris Bombardier reached the summit of Mount Vinson, becoming the first person with hemophilia to complete the Seven Summits (Messner list).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://hemophilianewstoday.com/2018/02/07/hemophiliac-chris-bombardier-becomes-first-ever-to-climb-seven-summits/https://hemophilianewstoday.com/2018/02/07/hemophiliac-chris-bombardier-becomes-first-ever-to-climb-seven-summits/|title=Hemophiliac Chris Bombardier Becomes First Ever to Climb 'Seven Summits'|date=2018-02-07|work=Hemophilia News Today|access-date=2018-08-26|language=en-US}}</ref> On 23 June 2018, [[Silvia Vasquez-Lavado]] reached the summit of Denali, becoming the first openly gay woman to complete the Seven Summits (including Carstensz Pyramid).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rei.com/blog/hike/meet-the-first-openly-gay-woman-to-complete-the-seven-summits|title=Meet the First Openly Gay Woman to Complete the Seven Summits|last=Parris|first=Aer|date=2018-12-14|website=REI Co-op Journal|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref> On 4 January 2019, [[Arunima Sinha]] reached the summit of Mount Vinson, becoming the first female [[Amputation|amputee]] to complete the Seven Summits (including Carstensz Pyramid).<ref name=HuffingtonPost>{{cite news | url=http://www.coolthoughts.in/अरुणिमा-सिन्हा-के-बारे-मे. | title=Arunima Sinha, Indian Woman, Is First Female Amputee To Climb Everest in the world  | work=[[The Huffington Post]] | date=22 May 2013 | access-date=22 May 2013}}</ref><ref name="indoscopy.com">{{cite news | url=http://www.indoscopy.com/2013/05/first-indian-amputee-climb-everest.html | title=Arunima Sinha World's first female amputee to climb Mount Everest}}</ref><ref name=hindu>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/arunima-is-first-woman-amputee-to-scale-everest/article4736281.ece | title=Arunima becomes first Indian amputee to scale Everest | work=[[The Hindu]] | date=21 May 2013 | access-date=21 May 2013}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/another-peak-scaled-indias-arunima-sinha-becomes-first-female-amputee-to-climb-mount-vinson/articleshow/67380549.cms|title=Another peak scaled: India's Arunima Sinha becomes world's first female amputee to climb the highest peak of Antarctica – Mt Vinson |website=The Times of India|date=4 January 2019 |access-date=5 January 2019}}</ref>

===Criticism===
[[File:K2, Mount Godwin Austen, Chogori, Savage Mountain.jpg|thumb|K2, about {{convert|800|ft}} shorter than Everest]]
Alpinism author [[Jon Krakauer]] (1997) wrote in ''[[Into Thin Air]]''{{sfn|Krakauer|1997|p=24}} that it would be a bigger challenge to climb the second-highest peak of each continent, known as the [[Seven Second Summits]] – a feat that was not accomplished until January 2013. This discussion had previously been published in an article titled ''The Second Seven Summits'' in Rock & Ice Magazine (#77) authored by the mountaineer and Seven Summits completer David Keaton. This is especially true for Asia, as [[K2]] (8,611 m) demands greater technical climbing skills than [[Mount Everest|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., [[#CITEREFBellet._al2000|''Seven Summits'']], Morrow opined "[t]he only reason Reinhold [Messner] wasn't the first person to complete the seven was that he was too busy gambolling up the [[Eight-thousander|14 tallest mountains in the world]]."<ref>Morrow, Pat [http://courses.csusm.edu/lbst361bby/~DATA/~EVEREST-site/0_history/1985_7summits/00_Everest_7summits.pdf "Foreword"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012112647/http://courses.csusm.edu/lbst361bby/~DATA/~EVEREST-site/0_history/1985_7summits/00_Everest_7summits.pdf |date=October 12, 2012 }}, ''Seven Summits''. Retrieved 2012-03-03.</ref>
In January 2023, a writer for ''[[Climbing (magazine)|Climbing]]'' said "Today, the Seven Summits are a relatively common{{snd}}almost cliché{{snd}}tour of each continent's highest peak", and that the real challenge was the [[Explorer's Grand Slam]], the Seven Summits with the [[North Pole|North]] and [[South Pole|South]] poles.<ref>{{cite web | magazine=[[Climbing (magazine)|Climbing]] | url=https://www.climbing.com/people/an-americans-grand-slam/ | title=Book Review: Becoming the First American to Complete the Explorer's Grand Slam | date=3 January 2023 |accessdate=6 January 2023| first=Daniel | last=Noonan}}</ref>

===Defence===
Bill Allen, who completed the Seven Summits twice, said that getting to the summit never gets old.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/whistler/the-irony-of-everest/Content?oid=2977602|title=The Irony of Everest|first=Jonathan|last=Hiltz|website=Pique|date=23 February 2017 }}</ref> The 8000ers are all in East Asia; Nepal, China, India and Pakistan in a more narrow region of Earth, and many of the climbs are quite dangerous with several climbers dying short of completing all 14.<ref name="everestnews.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.everestnews.com/8000.htm|title=The Quest for all 14 8000 Meter Peaks Summits: 8000 meter peaks|website=www.everestnews.com}}</ref> Another problem is that while there are 14 main summits, there are additional sub-peaks over 8000 m.<ref name="everestnews.com"/> Indeed, in 2013, authorities were considering officially recognizing some additional peaks as 8000ers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.dw.com/adventuresports/no-decision-yet-on-new-8000ers/|title=No decision yet on "new" 8000ers – Himalayas – Adventure Sports |website=dw.com|access-date=19 March 2018}}</ref>

==Second and third lists==
[[File:Kanchenjunga as seen from Gangtok.jpg|thumb|Kanchenjunga is the world's third-highest mountain; it tops out less than {{convert|100|ft}} shorter than K2.]]
The Seven Second Summits collection is considered to be a more difficult mountaineering challenge than the standard Seven Summits, even if the peaks are lower.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.markhorrell.com/blog/2012/which-is-harder-the-second-seven-summits-or-the-first-one/|title=Which is harder, the Second Seven Summits or the first one?|date=8 February 2012}}</ref> Like the number one list, the number two and three lists are subject to the Bass vs. Messner geophysical/political dichotomy.
;Number twos
*Asia-[[K2]]
*South America-[[Ojos del Salado]] ("Eyes of Salt")
*North America- [[Mount Logan]]
*Europe-[[Dykh-Tau]] ("Jagged Mount")
*Africa-[[Mount Kenya]]
*Antarctica-[[Mount Tyree]] 
*Oceania-[[Puncak Mandala]] (formerly "Juliana Peak")
*Oceania-[[Mount Townsend (Snowy Mountains)|Mount Townsend]]

A Seven Second Summits collection was first achieved in January 2013 by [[Christian Stangl]].

==See also==
{{portal|Mountains}}

* [[Eight-thousander]], the 14 highest mountains on Earth
* [[Explorer's Grand Slam]], also known as the Adventurers Grand Slam
* [[Seven Second Summits]]
* [[Seven Third Summits]]
* [[Three Poles Challenge]]
* [[Volcanic Seven Summits]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin|2}}
*{{cite web
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  | url=http://7summits.com/stats
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  | access-date=2011-12-25}} Updated until December 2011, 348 summiteers.
*{{Cite book
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  | title = Seven Summits
  | publisher = [[Mitchell Beazley]]
  | year = 2000
  | isbn = 90-246-0606-3
  | ref = {{SfnRef|Bell|et. al|2000}} }}
*{{Cite book
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  | last3 = Ridgeway
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  | title = Seven Summits
  | publisher = [[Warner Books]]
  | year = 1986
  | isbn = 0-446-51312-1
  | url-access = registration
  | url = https://archive.org/details/sevensummits00bass
  }}
*{{cite journal
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 |pages=n/a| publisher =[[American Geophysical Union]]
 | doi =10.1029/2007TC002162 
 | bibcode =  2008Tecto..27.1008A
 | url =http://www.ucm.es/info/tectact/DOCS/Articulos/Alvarez-Gomez_FEM%20active%20tectonics%20northern%20Central%20America_Tectonics_2008.pdf 
 | access-date =2008-08-04 
 | doi-access =free}}
*{{Cite book
  | last = Hamill
  | first = Mike
  | title = Climbing the Seven Summits: A Comprehensive Guide to the Continents' Highest Peaks
  | publisher = [[The Mountaineers Books]]
  | year = 2012
  | location = Seattle
  | isbn = 978-1-59485-648-8
  | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=fiSgyRhsUrgC
  | access-date = October 18, 2012 }}
*{{Cite book
  | last = Morrow
  | first = Patrick
  | title = Beyond Everest – Quest For the Seven Summits
  | publisher = [[Camden House]]
  | year = 1986
  | isbn = 0-920656-46-3
  | url-access = registration
  | url = https://archive.org/details/beyondeverestque00morr
  }}
*{{Cite book
  | last = Krakauer
  | first = Jon
  | title = Into thin Air
  | publisher = Villard
  | year = 1997
  | isbn = 0-385-49208-1
  | url-access = registration
  | url = https://archive.org/details/intothinairperso00krak
  }}
*{{cite web
  | publisher = 8000ers.com
  | url=http://www.8000ers.com/cms/7-summits-mainmenu-199.html
  | title=The Seven Summits
  | access-date=2006-08-08}}
*{{cite web
  | publisher = 7summits.com
  | url=http://7summits.com/carstensz/carstensz.php
  | title=Carstensz Pyramid, the Summit of Oceania
  | access-date=2006-08-08}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage}}
{{GeoGroup|article=Category:Seven Summits}}
* [http://maps.live.com/?v=2&cid=FDBAB8D732007047!480&tour=1&encType=1 3D Tour of the Seven Summits] in [[Virtual Earth]]
* [http://7summits.com/ 7Summits.com, voluminous information within a commercial website]
* [http://www.cohp.org/personal/Seven_Summits_essay/seven_summits_essay.html Essay on the criteria for the Seven Summits]

{{Seven Summits}}

[[Category:Seven Summits| ]]
[[Category:Peak bagging]]