| The Seven Summits of the World are known as | | | | Denali is the Native American word for "The High |
| highest peaks found on each continent on Earth. The | | | | One." It was once named Mount McKinley after U.S. |
| concept was first suggested by Richard Bass in the | | | | President William McKinley but named back in 1980. |
| 1980's and it has been every mountaineer's goal to | | | | Mount Denali is known for its cold climates, containing |
| climb each one during their lifetime. Bass was the first | | | | 5 large glaciers. One thermometer that was left on |
| to climb all the summits and once held the record for | | | | the mountain for over 19 years recorded that it had |
| having been the oldest person to climb Everest. | | | | once reached -73.3C (-100F). Severe altitude sickness |
| | | | is also prevalent on Denali because its latitude is much |
| The Seven Summits of the World | | | | higher. A mountain like Denali at the equater would |
| As for the seven summits, no doubt, you may have | | | | have approximately 47% more oxygen on its |
| heard of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Mount | | | | summit, compared to sea level. |
| Everest in Nepal. Read about the rest - how tall they | | | | 4) Mount Kilimanjaro |
| are, which are the most challenging and why, how | | | | Location: Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Africa |
| much it will cost you to make the climb to the | | | | Height: 5,895 meters or 19,640 feet |
| highest peaks in the world. . . | | | | Cost: $4,000+ |
| 1) Mount Everest / Qomolangma | | | | Kilimanjaro is made up of three cones of an inactive |
| Mountain Range: Himalayan Mountains | | | | volcano and is the highest peak in Africa. Kibo is the |
| Location: Nepal, China, Asia | | | | highest cone where Uhuru Peak stands over |
| Height: 8,850 meters or 29,028 feet | | | | Tanzania. It usually takes 4-5 days to climb |
| Cost: $30,000+ | | | | Kilimanjaro and huts are located at each day's stop. |
| Located on the border between Nepal and Tibet, | | | | This is thought to be one of the "easier" mountains |
| Everest is the world's highest mountain and most | | | | to climb and is possible for those who have limited |
| notorious. | | | | mountaineering experience. Avoiding altitude sickness |
| It is also one of Nepal's most significant sources of | | | | by acclimatization is one of the hardest parts. |
| tourist revenue. Almost 2,500 reached Everest's | | | | 5) Mount Elbrus |
| summit by the end of 2007, each bringing in around | | | | Mountain Range: Western Caucasus Mountains |
| $25,000 each. Sherpas are an ethnic Nepalese group | | | | Location: Kabardino-Balkaria & |
| who reside in the mountains and are employed as | | | | Karachay-Cherkessia, Russia, Europe |
| guides and porters for climbers. Two of the most | | | | Height: 5,642 meters or 18.510 feet |
| famous climbers in the world are Edmund Hillary (a | | | | Cost: $4,000+ |
| New Zealander) and Tenzing Norgay (a Sherpa), the | | | | The Elbrus mountain is also known as Strobilus, |
| first men to reach the summit of Everest in 1953 | | | | where Zeus chained Prometheus and Titan stole fire |
| 2) AconcaguaMountain Range: Andes Mountains | | | | from the gods to give to men. Each summer, |
| Location: Argentina, South America | | | | approximately 100 climbers attempt the climb each |
| Height: 6,962 meters or 22,320 feet | | | | day. Every year, about 15-30 die from their attempts |
| Cost: $4,500+ | | | | to summit the mountain. |
| The highest mountain in the world outside Asia, | | | | 6) Vinson MassifMountain Range: Sentinel Range, |
| Aconcagua is located in the Mendoza province of | | | | Ellsworth Mountains |
| Argentina, famous for its Malbec wine. Aconcagua is | | | | Location: Antarctica |
| said to be an easier mountain to climb, technically | | | | Height: 4,892 meters or 16,067 feet |
| speaking. Altitude sickness is one of the biggest | | | | Cost: $31,000+ |
| barriers and no oxygen masks are required. The | | | | Vinson is known as one of the most inaccessible |
| youngest person to have ever climbed Aconcagua | | | | ranges in the world, and is only 800 miles from the |
| was Jodan Romero of Big Bear Lake, California at 11 | | | | South Pole. The mountain was unknown and |
| years old in December 2007. | | | | unsuspected until 1957. It wasn't until 1966 and 1967 |
| 3) Denali / Mount McKinley | | | | that the first ascent was made to its peak. The |
| Mountain Range: Alaska Range | | | | most difficult part about the Vinson Massif is its |
| Location: Alaska, USA, North America | | | | inaccessibility, but there are now a few operators |
| Height: 6,194 meters or 20,320 feet | | | | who offer tours to this no man's land. |
| Cost: $5,000+ | | | | |