What is the Explorer’s Grand Slam?
The Explorers Grand Slam or Adventurers Grand Slam is an adventurers challenge to reach the North Pole, the South Pole and all of the Seven Summits. The Seven Summits are defined as the highest mountain peaks of each of the seven continents.
Photo Cred: Andy Cole
Mt. Kiliminjaro
Is the highest mountain in Africa, with the summit at 19,340 feet. Although not requiring technical mountaineering skills, the altitude makes this more than a run-of-the-mill hike. Typical Ascents take over a week, hiking 5-6 hours a day & culminating in a big summit day. There is no feeling however like watching dawn from the roof of Africa.
Aconcagua
Is the tallest mountain in South America, and also the highest in the Western Hemisphere, with the summit at 22,841 feet. Although not considered technical, the elevation of this mountain makes it a very physical undertaking and the altitude exposes individuals who are unable to content with the altitude. Typically 3 weeks is given to climb Aconcagua as weather plays a significant role in the ascent. While it is not technical, the altitude can make this a dangerous climb for the unprepared.
Mt. Elbrus
Is the highest mountain in Europe (not Mt Blanc as is commonly thought) with the summit at 18,510 feet. It lies in the Caucasus mountain range in Russia, close to the borders of Georgia and Armenia. A cable car has been built by the government that runs from the base of the mountain to around 12,000 feet, which makes the climb much more accessible. The first ascent of the summit took place in July 1874 by an English climber, Crauford Grove, and a Swiss guide, Peter Knubel.
Denali
Denali is the highest mountain in North America, with the summit at 20,320 feet. It is situated in Alaska in the United States, in the Denali National Park. Denali has some of the worst weather in the world on a year-round basis, and is also generally acknowledged to be one of the most difficult of the Seven Summits. Climbers must contend with carrying their heavy loads, up to 130lbs per climber, as there is no support on this climb. Typically teams prepare to spend almost a month climbing Denali and the loads reflect that. Dangerous weather and the physical nature of the climb make Denali an absolute beast!
Vinson Massif
Is the highest mountain in Antarctica, with the summit at 16,050 feet. It is also the most southerly of the Seven Summits, lying at 78° S, and the coldest, with temperatures falling to -90°F. It lies in the Ellsworth Mountain range near the Antarctic Peninsula, and is in territory administered by Chile under the Antarctic Treaty. It is very hard to get to, as the only access is by ski plane from Punta Arenas in Chile, which is only able to fly occasionally due to the weather. It was first climbed in 1966 by an American team of Barry Corbet, John Evans, William Long and Pete Schoening.
Photo cred: Steve Moffat
Carstensz Pyramid
Carstensz Pyramid is the only technical “rock” climbing of all the 7 Summits with the actual summit at 16,024 feet. Carstensz Pyramid sits in Irian Jaya which comprises the western side of the island of New Guinea located in Indonesia. The bare, rocky and near-vertical slopes of Carstensz Pyramid rise above the lush jungle environment that cans start off extremely hot and humid. One way to go is the Sugapa route that traverses rugged jungles, forests and alpine terrain for almost 80 km. Patrick Morrow was the first person to finish the Seven Summits with the Carstensz variation.
Photo Cred: Mike Roberts
Mt. Everest (April 2019)
Is the tallest mountain on earth and the highest in Asia, with the summit at 29,035 feet. It lies on the border between China (Tibet) and Nepal in the center of the Himalayan mountain range. Due to its size, it is buffeted by the jet stream with winds reaching speeds of over 100 mph, and this, combined with the avalanches, glaciers, ice-rivers and altitude, make this the most difficult of all the Seven Summits to climb. It was first successfully climbed on 29 May 1953 by New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay
