The seven highest mountain peaks on earth. The highest mountains in the world by continent. Descriptions of the seven highest peaks of the world by parts of the world

The process of formation of mountains on Earth takes millions of years. They arise from the collision of huge tectonic plates that make up the earth's crust. Today we will get acquainted with the highest mountains on 6 continents and see how they look against the backdrop of the highest mountain peaks in the world - the "eight-thousanders", whose height above sea level exceeds 8,000 meters. How many continents are on Earth? It is sometimes believed that Europe and Asia are 2 different continents, although they are one mainland:
Before we start talking about the highest mountains on 6 continents, let's take a look at the general diagram of the highest peaks on Earth. "Eight-thousanders" is the common name for the 14 highest mountain peaks in the world, whose height above sea level exceeds 8,000 meters. They are all in Asia. The conquest of all 14 "eight-thousanders" of the planet - the conquest of the "Crown of the Earth" - is a great achievement in high-altitude mountaineering. As of July 2012, only 30 climbers have managed to do this.

North America - Mount McKinley, 6,194 m

South America - Mount Aconcagua, 6,962 m

Europe - Mount Elbrus, 5,642 m

Asia - Mount Everest, 8,848 m

Australia and Oceania - Mount Punchak Jaya, 4884 m

Antarctica - Windson Massif, 4,892 m

Africa - Mount Kilimanjaro, 5,895 m

The list of the highest peaks of seven continents includes mountain peaks: Everest (Asia), Elbrus (Europe), Mount Kosciuszko (Australia), Aconcagua (South America), McKinley Peak (North America) and the Vinson Massif (Antarctica). Climbing is organized for each of these peaks, there are travel companies that specialize in the seven highest peaks.

Some mountains are more difficult to climb than others, such as McKinley Peak. The fact is that in the USA there are only 6 companies that organize trips to this peak. Climbing the Vinson massif causes some difficulties, due to climatic features Antarctica and high prices for the trip. But for true connoisseurs of the mountains, nothing is impossible. We have prepared for you short review on the seven peaks of the world:

1. Asia. Everest (Nepal, China)

In Tibet it is called Chomolungma, in Nepal - Sagarmatha, the rest of the world calls it in the English manner - Everest, in honor of the British surveyor who first measured this highest peak of our planet.

Located on the border between China and Nepal, Everest has claimed the lives of at least 200 people in the history of climbing it. The frozen bodies of climbers can still be seen during the ascent - lowering them down is too time-consuming and dangerous. However, this does not prevent thousands of people from all over the world from storming this peak every year. Everest was also successfully conquered by women, and even the Japanese of a very advanced age, Yuichiro Miura (at the time of the ascent he was 80 years old). From Everest, very presumptuous, but still successfully descended skiing(for the first time - in 1969), as well as snowboarding.

In order to climb, you must have climbing experience and good health. With the growing popularity of such ascents, many travel companies on both sides of Everest began to deal with them. The mountain has recently been covered by the Chinese mobile communications network (though not everywhere), and in some places there is even the Internet. Most favorable period for climbing: August-October. It is said that it is cheaper to climb from Tibet, but the more common route is through Nepal. To get to your destination, it is best to use the traditional route: by plane to the capital of Nepal - Kathmandu. It is worth walking along the old streets, looking at local residents in colorful clothes and eat delicious momo - fried dumplings with a wide variety of fillings. It is better to buy souvenirs at the Thamel market - this is a real shopping street full of kukri knives, bronze casting and traditional handmade Nepalese or Kashmiri carpets. Then - on a regular plane to the city of Lukla, which serves as a transit point for climbers. And there already on foot to the base camp - Everest Base Camp. Many (and most of them) reach only one of these camps located on opposite slopes, at 5.364 and 5.150 meters. In principle, this is quite enough to say: "I was on Everest." Sherpas traditionally help tourists in climbing - representatives of the nationality, who have lived at the very foot of the top of the world since ancient times. They work, for the most part, as porters and guides to Everest, and you can take a closer look at them in the Tibetan village of Namche Bazaar, where most of them live.

You can also limit yourself to flying on a special mountain plane along the border with Tibet in order to view the ridge in all its majestic beauty.

Those who consider it their duty to climb to the top should know that in addition to a special permit for access to the camp, your signature on paper is required with the words that no one is responsible for your life. The fact is that up to a certain point they will still be able to help you and even have the opportunity to return. But then a dead zone sets in, there is less and less oxygen, many begin to hallucinate from the load on the body. According to the unwritten rule of many conquerors of Everest: in this "longest mile on earth" on a sheer bare stone wall covered with snow, every man for himself.

In total, the hike to the top of Everest will take two months (acclimatization is required at each height plus the expectation of favorable weather conditions), it’s not a fact that you will reach the very peak - after all, anything can happen on the way and it’s better, in this case, don’t risk . But the moment of being on the highest point in the world leaves its mark, they say that even the most thick-skinned people feel the presence of something inexplicably divine here.

Height: 8848 m

How to get there: to Kathmandu airport, then - local airlines to Lukla, then on foot to Everest Base Camp.

From $40,000 (including tickets to Nepal)

More things to do: buy a mandala and a Nepalese carpet at the Thamel market, take the train to ancient capital the Tibetan state of Lhasa, go around the most famous Buddhist stupa Boudhanath in Kathmandu clockwise.

1. Europe.Elbrus (Russia, Caucasus)

Elbrus is considered the greatest peak Europe, if you do not take into account Mont Blanc, which, according to some, is considered more "European" with geographic point vision. However, it is lower than Elbrus and in general the question of the concept of geographical differences between Asia and Europe is debatable. "Eternal Mountain", "Guiding the Wind", "Snowy Mountain of Ases" - these are just a few epithets from the great multitude that gave rise to the languages ​​​​of these places: Nogais, Abaza, Karachais, Balkars and many others have settled at the foot of this peak since ancient times. Elbrus is a classic postcard view and an obligatory item in the program of any vacationer who comes to the North Caucasus.

Elbrus resembles a saddle - one peak is larger than the other. The path to the highest point lies through the saddle that separates the Western and Eastern peaks. They say that it is in this saddle that one of the places of power is located.

In order to climb Elbrus, preparation is also necessary, but if your goal is not to climb to the top, you can reach the mark of 4100 meters - you can book an excursion there in any nearby resort town, it includes climbing the cable car road, travel by bus through the picturesque gorges and visit the station "Mir", located at an altitude of 3500 meters. This tour takes time from early morning to evening. Avid climbers who want to climb higher must be confident in their physical fitness and state of health, because they will have to go for eight days. At an altitude of 4130 meters, an interesting object "Shelter of Eleven" was once located. Here, since the 30s, there was the highest mountain hotel in the country for climbers, and during the Great Patriotic War, fierce battles took place during the fascist operation "Edelweiss". Later, the orphanage burned down, but in our time they intend to restore it. The best month for climbing is April. Few people, but already warm. The nearest airports to the peaks are located in Mineral water and Nalchik. Terskol is considered the center of the Elbrus resorts, from where all ascents begin.

You can also visit Elbrus as part of the team of the Red Fox Elbrus Race festival, which takes place here every year. Festival participants make a high-speed run to the top of Elbrus, the event is well guarded and equipped with experienced ski mountaineering instructors. Anyone can take part in individual race competitions.

Height: 5642 m

How to get there: To the airport of Nalchik or the city of Mineralnye Vody by plane. Next by taxi or public transport to Tereskol.

Approximate cost of climbing: 20.000 - 30.000 rubles

More things to do: Find edelweiss, go skiing in the Elbrus region, eat khychins and drink Narzan, buy a hat and mutton skin in the market near Mount Cheget, visit Lermontov's grave and the famous failure in Pyatigorsk.

1. North America.McKinley (USA, Alaska)

In fact, until 1867, this mountain was considered the highest point of the Russian Empire, because Alaska then belonged to Russia. But now, it is the main peak of North America, named after one of the many American presidents. A walk on McKinley (or "Denali" in Aleutian) cannot be easy by definition - this is the northernmost of the highest mountains, located beyond the Arctic Circle, the polar day comes here only in May-June, and the temperature at the time of ascent can reach -50 degrees. Also, earthquakes and icefalls are not uncommon here, many climbers consider the same Himalayas to be a resort, compared to McKinley. However, everything is not so bad - in 2002, the summit was conquered by a Russian expedition, including two wheelchair users, so it all depends on you and your desire.

McKinley is considered the most impregnable and closed mountain. Only six American companies are involved in the organization of ascents to it. The distances here are large and there is also an unshakable rule - everything that you brought with you must be taken away, this is strictly monitored. The peak is located on the territory of the Denali Biosphere Reserve, which occupies about 25,000 square kilometers. There are grizzlies, deer, caribou and tree frogs, there are lakes glacial origin and more deep rivers. In order to get to the mountain, first you will need to come to the city of Anchorage - the largest in Alaska. From here the paths to numerous nature reserves, and on the territory of the city itself is located Alaska Botanical Garden- endemic plants grow there, which you will not find anywhere else. Also from here they get to the Kenai Peninsula - to go fishing. Be sure to visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the museum of the Alaska Native Peoples.

You will get to McKinley from the city in about 4 hours by car. The last stop before the mountain will be the town of Talkeetna - the settlement of rangers-keepers of the Denali National Park. Here you can find buildings built during the gold rush, and the place is also unique in its honorary mayor - for some reason, he is a cat named Stubbs. Here you will complete the necessary paperwork and receive instructions to go directly to the summit in the morning. You can also go just flying over the peak and the nearby Alaska Range, or you can even admire the view of the mountain from the cafe window, eat freshly caught salmon, and then go on an excursion to the confluence of the Talkitna, Chulitna and Susitna rivers - an extremely picturesque place, like and all in Alaska.

Height: 6.168 m

How to get there: By plane to Anchorage (departures from Moscow and Anadyr), from there by car to Talkitna.

Approximate cost of climbing: 456,000 rubles

More things to do: Catch salmon on the Kenai Peninsula, ride a dog sled, see the northern lights, meet grizzlies, visit a gold mine, buy a national Aleut costume.

1. South America.Aconcagua (Argentina)

Highest point in South America American continent in general, the Western and Southern hemispheres of the Earth. In addition, Aconcagua is the second highest peak of all seven. The peak is completely located on the territory of sunny Argentina, which is part of the Andes mountain system, as well as part of the national park of the same name.

Climbers consider climbing Aconcagua quite simple - you don’t need to climb the rocks, the path almost everywhere passes along a trodden path, and the climate is suitable. But you should not relax at all - every year about three climbers die on Aconcagua. There is also a terrible and mysterious climatic phenomenon - the "white wind". It brings bad weather, fog, haze, a sharp drop in temperature and a heavy hurricane. However, on the territory of the mountain there are many stopping points, each of which has everything you need for rest and overnight. In the vicinity of the mountain there are many hiking trails and routes for those who do not agree to fight mountain sickness and, with their last strength, climb a small patch of this peak, located at an altitude of 6962 meters.

As a rule, all high-altitude climbing routes begin in Mendoza - official climbing permits or "permits" are obtained here, prices for them vary from season to season. It would be nice to stop here to visit National Museum wine, bask on the shore azure lake Llancanello and drink geothermal water in an old balneological resort Villavicencio. And the "Inca Bridge" is also a must-see - a stone bridge built by nature itself, without the participation of people - a unique natural structure. Almost all routes start from the Inca Bridge. Before heading out, check out Museo del Andinista, a climbing museum dedicated to all the intricacies of relationships with mountains.

The first base camp is located at an altitude of 3400 meters, and here the unprepared begin to feel dizzy. Located even higher big camp Plaza de Mulas, which has everything: the Internet, a hotel and a cafe, and even the highest mountain art gallery in the world, where a local artist exhibits. The higher you go to the top, the less people found at transshipment points, but there are breathtaking views: red lakes (water washes away rock red, found in these places) and colorful mountains changing color every minute.

Height: 6962 m

How to get there: by plane to Buenos Aires, then on land transport to Mendoza.

Approximate cost of climbing: from 1200 $ (excluding the cost of tickets and permits)

More things to do: Taste wines from local endemic grapes, look at the Andean Christ statue located on the border with Chile, see a llama, dance tango, drink mate, eat gazpacho and asado in Buenos Aires.

1. Africa. Kilimanjaro (Tanzania)

Kilimanjaro - "sparkling peak" in the Suhali language and the highest point in Africa, is located on the border of Tanzania and Kenya. This peak is fraught with potential danger - after all, it is a stratovolcano, which, at any moment, can start an eruption. At the top you can see a real crater and, they say, the smell of sulfur is clearly felt. Another feature of Kilimanjaro is unique climate. During the ascent, there is an opportunity to see and feel all the climatic zones of the world: from the tropics to the lifeless icy desert. The Chaga tribe lives on the slopes of the peak - they traditionally grow bananas, coffee and corn here. Rivers flowing from the glaciers of Kilimanjaro turn the lands around into tropical jungle, so there are many biospheric national reserves and parks, including Kilimanjaro National Park.

Glittering hat snow-white ice, the peak is a real national symbol of Tanzania, although it is located on the border with Kenya. All ascents, basically, also take place from the Tanzanian side - there are about six routes. There is only one route from Kenya. The easiest, almost walking, ascent is the ascent to the peak of Gillman Point, it is the lowest of all the peaks of Kilimanjaro.

The nearest town to the summit is called Moshi. The entire tourist infrastructure is located here, and there are hotels even on Kilimanjaro itself. From here you can go on a safari, just drive around the area in jeeps or go to one of the craters of Kilimanjaro, in which fresh lake Chala with trout living here, flocks of pelicans, hippos and other African delights. From Moshi you can take a taxi to the coastal Dar es Salaam - this is a major Tanzanian port. It's a must to walk here fish market Mzizima - buy the freshest lobsters and fish, and then go by ferry or plane small aviation to the island of Zanzibar with its snow-white beaches and amazing diving.

The surroundings of Kilimanjaro is a place where you can see firsthand the life of the mysterious Maasai tribe. Their dance is especially interesting - high jumps up, symbolizing male military prowess.

Kilimanjaro is worth climbing or seeing at least once in a lifetime. But hurry up: according to the most optimistic forecasts of scientists ice cap The snows of Kilimanjaro will melt by the middle of the 21st century - global warming, unfortunately, has also touched the "sparkling peak".

Height: 5895 m

How to get there: By plane to Dar es Salaam or Nairobi (Kenya), then by land transport to the cities of Moshi or Arusha.

Approximate cost of climbing : from 1000 $

More things to do: catch trout in Lake Chaga, go on a safari, meet a lion, take pictures with the Masai, sunbathe in Zanzibar, eat goat meat, mangoes and bananas, remember the snows of Kilimanjaro.

1. Australia. Mount Kosciuszko (Australia)

The roof of Australia, its highest peak with a funny name given in honor of the Polish political and military figure Tadeusz Kosciuszko, who was captured in Peter and Paul Fortress, located in the Australian Alps (and there are also such) on the territory of the reserve of the same name. The locals know the mountain called "Kozi-osko", it's easier for them to call it, because "Kosciuszko" for English speech is too complicated and untranslatable pun. This peak, only 2228 meters high, is very comfortable to climb, mountain sickness will not overtake you, there are no crevices and this is perhaps the lowest of the seven peaks. Climbing helps and cable cars, installed along the entire length of the path, as well as metal flooring for pedestrians and wheelchair users, the entire route will not take more than 6 hours. The mountain range itself is low - it resembles hills overgrown with eucalyptus trees and shrubs, occasionally replaced by alpine meadows.

The Australian Alps are perhaps the only place on the continent where you can see snow in winter and go skiing in ski resorts, and admire flowering meadows in spring . Kosciuszko national park located in New South Wales and the most convenient way to get to it is from Canberra, where everything begins tourist routes. From Canberra you can get to the alpine village of Thredbo, where the longest ski slopes in the country, there are comfortable hotels, restaurants and nightclubs. You can choose another way, having reached Jindabyne, a quiet and cozy settlement on the shores of the lake of the same name.

While climbing Mount Kosciuszko, you can see the Snowy Eucalyptus Grove - a rare species of eucalyptus that can spend some time under the snow, and Snowy River - "Snowy River". As you can see, almost all the names of objects here proudly bear the epithet "snowy" - after all, this phenomenon is very rare in these arid rocky regions. On the passes you can find comfortable huts for emergency shelter and even parking for bicycles.

If you deviate a little from the route, on the way back you can reach Blue Lake - large picturesque lakes of glacial origin, flooded during the period of active glacier melting by no more than 10 meters.

Height: 2228 m

How to get there: By plane to Canberra or Sydney, then by land transport to settlements: Thredbo or Jindabyne.

Approximate cost of climbing: free (not including tickets to Australia)

More things to do: Ride a bike on the slopes, see kangaroos and koalas, buy emu fat in a local shop (it heals well and replaces any greasy cream), go skiing, buy a boomerang, visit the National Museum of Australia in Canberra.

1. Antarctica.Vinson Massif

Of all the seven peaks, this one is the most inaccessible. Still would. There are no buses to Antarctica every day. Vinson Massif is the highest point of this mysterious continent and is located only 1200 kilometers from the South Pole. Here you will not be able to buy souvenirs, but you will see penguins, a lot of ice and blinding snow of the harshest continent. The mountain is not difficult in terms of climbing, but a very unfriendly climate (-30 degrees in polar summer and up to -70 in winter) and the difficulty in organizing an expedition make it the most inaccessible for ordinary tourists. However, today there are travel companies that take on all these problems and many extreme people have already trampled the highest peak of this continent.

An approximate climbing route starts in Santiago de Chile. Chile is the closest country to Antarctica, so stock up on sun, great local wine, and the good-natured mood of the locals. Here you can also look into the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art to look at the rarest collection of household items and art of the indigenous population of America. Next, most likely, you will go to Punta Arenas - basically from here planes fly to the snowy continent. The southernmost city of the earth is interesting for its ski resorts, a monument to Magellan, and the ancient Chilean fort Fuerte Bulnes, located near the city. Through the Strait of Magellan one can see the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego and many islands scattered across the ocean to Antarctica itself. You can take a ferry to the fishing village of Porvenir in Tierra del Fuego. You can start seeing penguins right here. For example, excursions are specially sent to the uninhabited and deserted island of Magdalena, where colonies of these beauties nest every year.

Having flown onto the ice of Antarctica, you are unlikely to be able to deviate from the route due to your personal wishes. IN harsh edge no hotels, bars or nightclubs. It is important to preserve the environment and the original appearance. environment, do not leave behind absolutely no (!) waste, and also listen carefully to the guide in order to avoid emergency situations. Union Glacier is a base camp with everything you need: a medical station, warmth and food. From here you will be taken to the foot of Vinson.

When climbing Vinson, many troubles can await you: oxygen starvation, constant insomnia (continuous daylight hours) and frostbite. You need to take mittens with you, not gloves (to avoid the same frostbite), a lot sunscreen and pills for insomnia. But the organizers of your trip will tell you about all this. And you - enjoy the silence that reigns here forever, and the absolutely cosmic landscapes of Antarctica.

Height: 4892 m

How to get there: By plane to Santiago de Chile, then by ground transport to Punta Arenas, then by plane to Union Glatcher.

Approximate cost: From $5 to $10,000

More things to do: drink pisco - Chilean grape vodka, feed the penguins, visit Orthodox church Holy Trinity in Antarctica, reach the South Pole, exchange your money for Antarctic dollars.

Do you know?

That in fact, the highest peak in the world is not Everest at all, but Mount Mauna Kea, located in Hawaii? But one factor does not allow officially recognizing it as the highest point on earth: most of The mountains are located under the water of the Pacific Ocean. Only 4205 m rise above the surface. From the base to the top, the height of the mountain is 10203 m, which makes this mountain truly gigantic. The highest point of the Hawaiian Islands is also an extinct shield volcano, the last eruption of which occurred about 6,000 thousand years ago.

The mountain is located on big island(Big Island) in Volcanoes National Park. The most convenient way to get directly to the top is from administrative center islands - the city of Hilo, where the airport (Hilo International Airport) is located. Among the ancient peoples inhabiting Hawaii, this peak was considered the most sacred, today at the top of Mauna Kei there is an observatory with some of the most powerful telescopes in the world - a location far from civilization (about 2500 miles to the nearest continent) and high altitude allow you to conduct scientific research without any interference. In winter, you can ski on the top, and in summer you can admire alpine lake Waiau, located nearby. Its depth is only 3 meters and it never dries up.

Previously, the site talked about. However, all these mountains are located in one part of the world - Asia, namely in the two neighboring mountain systems of the Himalayas and the Karakorum, therefore it is customary to also single out the 7 highest mountain peaks in the world, one for each part of the world. Climbers who have conquered all these mountains are included in the honorary Seven Summits Club.
There are 2 main lists of the seven peaks of the world. More difficult to climb is the list compiled by the Italian climber Reinhold Messner. In this list, in addition to Asia, Europe, South and North America, Africa, Antarctica, not Australia appears as part of the world, but Australasia, i.e. region including Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand and adjacent Pacific islands. Accordingly, instead of the highest peak in Australia - Mount Kosciuszko, whose height is only 2228 meters and which is very easy to conquer, the list includes Mount Jaya in New Guinea, whose height is 4884 meters and which was first conquered only in 1962. The list, compiled by the American climber Richard Bass, is more traditional in terms of Russian geography, it lists Australia as part of the world, not Australasia.
Thus, the highest peaks of the world become not seven, but eight. In some interpretations, there are even nine of them, because. between geographers there are still disagreements about the border between Europe and Asia, so the highest peak in Europe is either Elbrus in the Russian Caucasus, or Mont Blanc in the Alps.
In this article, we will use the Messner list, because it is he who is presented as the main one on the website of the Seven Summits Club - 7summits.com. The mountains in the ranking are sorted by height, starting with the highest.

Asia's highest mountain peak - Chomolungma V mountain system Himalayas, also known as Everest. Chomolungma in Tibetan means "mistress of the winds", as for English name Everest, then it was awarded in honor of Sir George Everest, head of the British India Survey in 1830-1843. The height of the peak is 8848 meters. Chomolungma is located in China, namely in Tibet, on the border with Nepal. The first ascent of the mountain was made on May 29, 1953 by Sherpas (Sherpas - a people living in Eastern Nepal, as well as in India) Tenzing Norgay and New Zealander Edmund Hillary. The climbers used oxygen devices. More than 30 Sherpas took part in the work of the expedition.

The highest mountain peak in South America aconcagua in the Andes mountain range. Height 6962 meters. Located in Argentina. Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the western and southern hemispheres. In mountaineering, Aconcagua is considered a technically easy mountain if you climb the northern slope. When climbing, the influence of altitude is noticeable, the atmospheric pressure at the top is about 40% of the pressure at sea level. However, the use of oxygen tanks during the ascent is not required. Even children can conquer this mountain with appropriate preparation: in 2013, 9-year-old American Tyler Armstrong did it, and in 2016, 12-year-old Romanian Dor Jeta Popescu.

The highest mountain peak in North America Denali included in the Alaska Range. Height 6194 meters. Located in the USA (Alaska). From 1896 until August 28, 2015, the mountain was called McKinley, in honor of the 25th President of the United States of America, now the traditional Indian name Denali has been returned to the mountain (this word means "great" in the language of the Athabaskan Indian people). From 1799 to 1867, the mountain was the highest point of the Russian Empire, until Alaska, where Denali is located, was sold to the United States. For the first time this peak was conquered in 1906 by the American expedition of Frederick Cook.

Africa's highest mountain peak is Mount Kilimanjaro. Height - 5895 meters. Located in Tanzania. Climbing Kilimanjaro is considered quite simple, but it takes time for high-altitude acclimatization. Almost any healthy person can climb the main routes leading to it, without climbing training and special equipment.

The highest mountain peak in Europe and Russia is the Elbrus volcano. Height 5642 meters. It is located on the territory of the Caucasus, on the border of the republics of Karachay-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria. The first ascent of Elbrus was carried out by a Russian expedition led by George Emmanuel in 1829.

The highest peak of Antarctica - vinson array. Height 4892 meters. The first ascent took place in 1966 by an American expedition led by Nicholas Clinch. Conquering Vinson is an expensive pleasure due to the inaccessibility of Antarctica and heavy climatic conditions(even in summer the temperature on the massif does not rise above minus 30 degrees Celsius): you must either organize an expedition yourself or pay for services travel company, which cost about $30,000 per person and include shipping to Antarctica from Chile.

The highest mountain peak in Australasia (a region that includes Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand and the adjacent islands of the Pacific Ocean) - Jaya(other name - Pyramid of Carstens). Height 4884 meters. Jaya is the highest mountain in the world located on the island. Jaya was first climbed in 1962 by a group of four Austrian climbers led by Heinrich Harrer.

Members Club 7 Summits(7 Summits Club) are climbers who have reached the highest peaks of all 7 continents. The idea of ​​this project arose in 1981 (of course, in America), and the first members of the Club appeared in 1985 and 1986 (there are two versions of the list of 7 highest peaks, more on that below). Today, Seven Peaks is one of the most popular commercial programs among "climbing collectors": tens of thousands of people are trying to implement it. At the end of 2011, at least according to one version, only 348 climbers managed to do this. As part of the 7 Summits program, ascents are usually carried out along the simplest "standard" routes.

7 Peaks

So, the 7 highest peaks of all continents are:

1. Everest (Chomolungma), 8848 m. Asia
2. Aconcagua, 6962 m. South America
3. McKinley (Denali), 6194 m. North America
4. Kilimanjaro, 5895 m. Africa
5. Elbrus, 5642 m. Europe
6. Vinson Peak, 4897 m. Antarctica
7a. Pyramid Carstens (Punchak Jaya), 4884 m. Australia and Oceania (New Guinea)
7b. Peak Kosciuszko (Kosciuszko), 2228 m. Australia

There is controversy regarding the highest point in Australia. If we consider only the continent of Australia, this will be the Kosciuszko peak with a height of 2228 m. The highest point of Australia and Oceania (which, in addition to Australia, includes the adjacent islands and archipelagos) will be the highest point of the island of New Guinea - Carstens' Pyramid (Punchak Jaya), 4884 m. Therefore, today day there are two versions of the Seven Summits program: with the Kosciuszko Peak and with the Carstens Pyramid. The main (and more complex) is the Carstens pyramid program.

Route to Elbrus from the south, through Priyut 11

The route of climbing Elbrus from the North

4897 m. Antarctica. Perhaps the most hard-to-reach peak out of seven. The Vinson Massif was discovered only in the 50s of the last century during an aircraft overflight. Unexpectedly, this peak turned out to be the highest in Antarctica. Technically, the route is not difficult, but it is extremely difficult and expensive to get to the foot of the mountain, especially since the organization of ascents is monopolized by the Canadian-English office Adventure Network. Nevertheless, more than a thousand people have already visited the summit of Vinson.

View of Vinson Massif

Carstensz Pyramid (Punchak Jaya, Carstensz Pyramid), 4884 m. is located in the mountains of Irian Jaya on the island of New Guinea (in its western part, belonging to Indonesia) and is the highest point in Australia and Oceania. The first ascent of Carstens in 1962 was made by the Austrian climber Heinrich Harrer (known to us from the film "7 Years in Tibet"). However, until recently, the peak was little known and this ascent did not arouse much interest. Climbing the limestone peak itself is not particularly difficult, the main difficulties are the lack of infrastructure, inaccessibility and the difficult equatorial climate.

Carstensz Pyramid (Punchak Jaya, Carstensz Pyramid)

Peak Kosciuszko, 2228 m - the highest point in Australia. It is a peak in the ridge of the Snowy Mountains (Snowy Mountains), slightly rising above the neighboring ones. The ascent does not represent any technical difficulty.

Peak Kosciuszko ... somewhere there

History of the 7 Summits project

The idea to climb the highest peaks of all continents first occurred to an American millionaire Dick Bass after he climbed McKinley (Denali) in May 1981 - highest point America. Another millionaire became his partner in the implementation of the project - Frank Wells. In 1981, they went to Elbrus - organizationally it turned out to be not difficult, the system of MALs, the forerunners of today's commercial mountaineering, was already working. Only Bass made it to the top. Aconcagua was next, and not the easiest Polish route was chosen (like acclimatization and training before Everest). Only Bass made it to the top again. In 1982, Bass and Wells joined Lou Whittaker's expedition, which planned to take the route along the Norton couloir - unfortunately, without success.

In 1982, after climbing Everest in the classics from the south, the idea of ​​the 7 Summits project captured and Patrick Morrow, professional climber and photographer from Canada. An unspoken competition has begun.

In September 1983, Bass and Wells go to Kilimanjaro, and a week later - to Elbrus. Morrow in 1983 climbed three peaks from the list - Elbrus, Kilimanjaro and Kosciuszko Peak in Australia. Until the completion of the program, he was left with only Vinson in Antarctica, in those years practically inaccessible to climbers. Bass and Wells managed to organize an expedition to Antarctica in late 1983, which also included Chris Bonnington and a. Morrow did not have the $200,000 needed to join this expedition. At the end of November, the expedition members managed to go to the top (), Miura, in addition, went down from the top on skis. On the way back, Bass and Wells stopped at Kosciuszko Peak in Australia. Morrow organized an expedition to Antarctica in the winter of 1984-85, but due to bad weather and aircraft breakdowns, they were unable to reach their destination.

On April 30, 1985, Bass managed to climb Everest from Nepal - thus he became the first member of the 7 Summits club in the Kosciuszko Peak option. Frank Wells never climbed all 7 peaks, in 1994 he died in a plane crash.

Patrick Morrow went to the top of Vinson on November 19, 1985, and Elbrus still remained for him. He was not satisfied with the role of the second, so he decided to support the idea, which he actively promoted Reinhold Messner- in the list of 7 Peaks there should be the highest point of Australia and Oceania with a height of almost 5 kilometers, and the Kosciuszko peak, which is of no climbing interest, is only 2228 m high.

Messner at that time (actively trying to become the first climber to climb all 14 eight-thousanders, which he managed in 1986) also decided to join the race for the Seven Summits. He climbed Carstens back in 1971, it was his first peak from the list of 7 Peaks. In 1983, Messner ascended Elbrus and Kosciuszko Peak - and he was left with only the hard-to-reach Vinson, entering which on December 3, 1986, he became the 2nd member of the club according to the "Carstens Pyramid" version (this option is also called "Messner's List") and 5th - according to the Kosciuszko Peak (Bass list). Morrow climbed Elbrus on August 5, 1986, becoming 1st in the Carstens Pyramid list and 3rd in the Kosciuszko Peak list. Morrow was also the first to climb all 8 highest peaks (this list includes Carstens' Pyramid and Kosciuszko Peak).

Records

The very format of the Club - "the highest peaks of the world" - involves the pursuit of records and their careful recording. The number of possible “very first” nominations is almost endless, but we will still list the most significant “records”. So:

The first woman to complete the 7 Summits program was Junko Tabei in 1992.

In 2007, Austrian Christian Stangl climbed all 7 Summits in the Messner version alone (presumably without the help of guides - it's hard to imagine a solo on Everest along the classical route) and without additional oxygen. However, Messner, Ed Vesturs, and the Czech climber Miroslav Kaban also went to Everest without additional oxygen (and it is not needed at other peaks) as part of the 7 Summits program.

American Kit DesLauriers in October 2006 not only climbed all 7 peaks in the Bass version, but also skied down from them (as far as it was possible). A year later, Swedes Olof Sundström and Martin Letzter skied off the Carstens Pyramid, skiing down all 8 of the highest peaks.

Lecter with skis under Carstens' pyramid. It’s not clear where you can go there, but at least you skied to the top :)

Age records: On May 17, 2006, Rhys Jones completed the program on his 20th birthday, after which the record was updated almost every year, on December 24, 2011, American Jordan Romero climbed all 7 peaks (the last one was Vinson), in age 15 years 5 months and 12 days.

In January 2010 Spaniard Carlos Soria Fontán climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with a 7 summit program at the age of 71.

New Zealanders Rob Hall and Gary Bol were the first to climb all 7 peaks during the year, in 2008 Dane Heinrich Christiansen completed the program in 136 days, in 2010 Vern Tejas improved this achievement by 2 days. Christiansen's schedule was as follows: Vinson on January 21, Akocagua on February 6, Kotsyushko Peak on February 13, Kilimanjaro on March 1, Carstens Pyramid on March 14, Elbrus on May 8, Everest on May 25 and Denali on June 5. The women's record of 360 days was set by Englishwoman Annabelle Bond, and in 2013 Vanessa O'Brien climbed all 7 peaks (including Carstens' pyramid) in 10 months.

How much does it cost?

The 7 Summits program is one of the most popular commercial climbing products. Moreover, it is almost impossible to organize an ascent to some peaks, such as Vinson Peak or the Carstens Pyramid, due to their remoteness and inaccessibility.

For example, the cost of climbing according to the 7 Summits program of one of the Western operators (in $) and one of the Russian ones (in rubles). Surely you can find cheaper prices, but these figures give a general idea.

Material prepared:(Leonid Smidovich)

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The highest mountains in the world have different names, but at the same time they can be called briefly - Seven Peaks - this is a term that appeared in 1985 at the suggestion of Richard Bass (the man who first conquered all seven peaks) and united the seven highest peaks on each continent. This association is not equal to the ranking of the highest mountains in the world, most of which are located in Nepal. This list is made up of mountains, each of which is the highest on its continent.

The highest peak in North America is located in Alaska and is the center national park Denali. The top of Mount McKinley is 6194 meters from the ground. This mountain is the third in the world in terms of topographic position, it was overtaken only by Everest and Aconcagua. And if you take into account the ratio of the base to the peak, then McKinley is the highest mountain in the world. The mountain got its name in honor of the American president, and the Indian name - Denali - means "great."

Part of the Andes and at 6,959 meters, Mount Aconcagua is considered the highest mountain in South America. The mountain is located in the Argentine province of Mendoza and is 15 km away from the border with Chile. The name of the mountain comes from the words in the language of the Quechua people "stone guard".

Europe - Mount Elbrus (Russia)

Elbrus is an inactive volcano with a height of 5642 meters, which is located in Caucasus mountains on the border of Russia and Georgia.

Elbrus has several other names, the most romantic of which, translated from Adyghe and Kabardino-Circassian, means "a mountain that brings happiness."

Asia - Mount Everest (Nepal/China)

The highest mountain in the world, Everest, is located exactly on the border of Nepal and China. Everest is part of the Himalayas, the highest mountain range in the world. It is here that the highest mountains in the world are located. The height of Everest is 8848 meters. Everest attracts all the climbers of the world and this is understandable. Technically, Everest's routes are not very difficult, but problems such as altitude sickness, strong winds and disgusting weather conditions are added to them. The name Everest is English - in honor of the head of the geodetic service, who first told the European community about this peak. The mountain has the Tibetan name Chomolungma (divine mother of life) and the equivalent Nepalese Sagarmatha (mother of the gods).

The highest mountain on the African continent is an extinct volcano, the highest point of which is 5895 meters from sea level. Moreover, Kilimanjaro has three peaks, two of which are extinct, and the third may well wake up. Kilimanjaro erupted 360,000 years ago volcanic activity at Kibo Peak (the highest of the three) was seen 200 years ago, indicating that the volcano is potentially active. In Swahili, the name Kilimanjaro means "sparkling mountain".

The highest point of Oceania is also the highest mountain in the world, which is located on the island. Punchak Jaya is located in the west of New Guinea. Puncak Jaya, also known simply as Jaya or Karstensza Pyramid, is 4,884 meters high. The name of the mountain in Indonesian means "mountain of victory".

Antarctica - Mount Vinson

The seventh highest mountain in the world got its name in honor of Carl Vinson, an American eminent politician. mountain range Vinson is part of the Ellsworth Mountains and has its highest point at 4,892 meters above sea level.

Seven mountains, each of which is unique in its origin and beauty, attract climbers from all over the world. The climbers who have conquered the Seven Peaks are united in an informal community.