Kilimanjaro is one of the tallest mountains in the world, and is actually the tallest freestanding mountain. Summiting Kilimanjaro is a dream to many, and thanks to adventure companies like Adventure Abroad, it becomes a reality.
But what happens when you’ve already summited Kilimanjaro? What if you’re left wanting more?
Here’s an idea: why not attempt the Seven Summits?
The Seven Summits are the highest mountains on each of the seven continents. Summiting all seven mountains is considered a challenge and has since been considered a mountaineering achievement that people aim to complete.
There are a few different variations of the Seven Summits, because the list changes according to the location of a continent border. The most popular list is the Messner variation, which favors Puncak Jaya in Indonesia over Australia’s Mt Kosciuszko to as the representative for Australasia.
So here are the Messner list mountains in the order of height![vc_custom_heading text=”7. Puncak Jaya (Australasia)”]
Photo credit: Bastamanography/Flickr
Also known as Carstensz Pyramid, Indonesia’s Puncak Jaya is still an impressive 4,884 m (16,024 ft) despite being the smallest of the Seven Summits. Located in Papua Province, the mountain is one of the more difficult ones to climb due to being the most technical one, requiring the climber to navigate sheer rock cliffs. It also requires a permit to climb, due to the turbulent political atmosphere in Papua Province.[vc_custom_heading text=”6. Mt. Vinson (Antarctica)”]
Photo credit: Christopher Michel/Flickr
Coming into the list at 4,892 m (16, 050 ft) is Mt. Vinson in Antarctica. Another one of the more technical climbs, summiting Vinson requires many days of trekking in deep snow, below freezing temperatures, and inclement weather conditions.[vc_custom_heading text=”5. Mt. Elbrus (Europe)”]
Mt. Elbrus in the Russian Caucasus mountains is a comparatively easier climb compared to the others on the list. Despite being 5,642 m (18,510 ft) tall, trekkers don’t necessarily need technical skills to climb Elbrus. However, like any other long distance, multi-day trek, a certain level of fitness and aerobic training is still required.[vc_custom_heading text=”4. Kilimanjaro (Africa)”]
Kilimanjaro is the fourth highest mountain in the world at 5,895 m (19,341 ft). Located in Tanzania, it is the tallest freestanding mountain in the world. Like Elbrus, it is not a technically difficult climb and only requires a certain level of fitness to summit.[vc_custom_heading text=”3. Denali (North America)”]
Standing at an impressive 6,194 m (20,322 ft), this Alaskan mountain is a difficult climb. Summiting Denali requires facing ice, snow, glaciers, and freezing temperatures. Thought not a very technical climb, the obstacles presented by the mountain conditions make this trek a difficult one.[vc_custom_heading text=”2. Aconcagua (South America)”]
This Argentinian giant stands at 6,961 m (22,838 ft) and is considered the highest non-technical mountain in the world. Of the three main routes, only one can be considered technical. Aconcagua is notorious for having the highest rates of death and failure to summit than any other mountain in South America.[vc_custom_heading text=”1. Mt. Everest (Asia)”]
At the number one spot is Mount Everest, king of mountains at 8,848 m (29,029 ft). Summiting Everest is the ultimate dream for many, and requires much training. Settled snugly in the Himalayan mountain range, this snow-capped titan is difficult for many reasons: subzero temperatures, thin air, snowfalls, and avalanches. Despite these dangers, many attempt the summit for the prestige and sheer achievement of climbing this titan.