The Seven Summits
The Seven Summits are the highest mountain on each of the seven continents, and the most famous climbing list in the world. Every one of them is also a country highpoint, which is why they sit inside this project.
7 peaks · 0 climbed by Martin
| # | Country | Highest point | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nepal | Mount Everest | 8,849 m |
| 2 | Argentina | Aconcagua | 6,961 m |
| 3 | Tanzania | Mount Kilimanjaro | 5,895 m |
| 4 | Russia | Elbrus | 5,642 m |
| 5 | Antarctica | Vinson Massif | 4,892 m |
| 6 | Indonesia | Puncak Jaya | 4,884 m |
| 7 | Australia | Mount Kosciuszko | 2,228 m |
Two versions exist. The Bass list uses Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 m) for Australia; the Messner list uses Puncak Jaya (4,884 m) in Indonesia for the Oceania/Australasia continental plate. Puncak Jaya is the harder and more widely respected tick.
Quick stats
Peaks on this list
7
0 climbed by Martin
Highest
8,849 m
Mount Everest, Nepal
Lowest
2,228 m
Mount Kosciuszko, Australia
Median elevation
5,642 m
39,351 m stacked total
Continents covered
Africa · Antarctica · Asia · Europe · Oceania · South America
Main ranges
Mahalangur Himal, Himalayas (1) · Principal Andes (1) · Eastern Rift (standalone stratovolcano) (1) · Caucasus (1) · Sentinel Range, Ellsworth Mountains (1)
Difficulty spread
e.g. Mount Kosciuszko (Australia)
e.g. Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Elbrus (Russia)
e.g. Aconcagua (Argentina), Puncak Jaya (Indonesia)
e.g. Mount Everest (Nepal), Vinson Massif (Antarctica)
Route options
Hiking routes
Long day hikes on paths or easy scree, occasional hands-on scrambling steps but no exposure that needs a rope.
Gear: Boots, poles, layers, headtorch for an early start.
Scrambles and glacier walks
Sustained scrambling, via ferrata sections or straightforward glacier travel. Route-finding matters and afternoon weather forces early starts.
Gear: Helmet, harness, crampons and axe where glaciated; rope for the exposed steps.
Alpine routes
Multi-day expeditions, high altitude, real glacier hazard or committing rock and ice. Acclimatisation is part of the plan.
Gear: Full alpine kit, crevasse rescue, tent or hut chain, and a partner you trust.
Expedition objectives
Remote, permitted, politically restricted or extreme-altitude peaks. Months of planning, fixed logistics and often a narrow legal window.
Gear: Expedition setup, permits, local operator support, medical and comms plan.
Best season
northern peaks
2 on this listJune – September
Northern-hemisphere summer: stable high pressure, melted-out approaches and long daylight. Shoulder weeks in May and October mean snow on the upper slopes.
southern peaks
2 on this listDecember – March
Southern-hemisphere summer. Expect the reverse calendar from Europe — the Andes and Oceania peaks come into condition when the Alps close out.
tropical peaks
2 on this listYear-round, driest in the local dry season
Near the equator temperature barely shifts; rainfall decides. Aim for the dry months and start before dawn to beat afternoon convection.
polar peaks
1 on this listNovember – January
Antarctic season only. Flights operate in the austral summer window and everything is logistics-driven.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the Seven Summits?
Everest (Asia), Aconcagua (South America), Denali (North America), Kilimanjaro (Africa), Elbrus (Europe), Vinson (Antarctica) and either Puncak Jaya or Kosciuszko for Oceania/Australia.
What is the difference between the Bass and Messner lists?
The Bass list takes Kosciuszko in Australia as the seventh summit; the Messner list takes Puncak Jaya in Indonesia. Messner's version is considered the more serious challenge because Puncak Jaya is a technical rock climb in a remote, permit-controlled area.
Which of the Seven Summits is the easiest?
Kosciuszko is a walk. Of the real mountains, Kilimanjaro is the easiest — a non-technical multi-day trek where altitude is the only real crux.
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Every summit on the way to all 195 country highpoints is filmed and posted on YouTube.
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