Climbing the Seven Summits

Aconcagua. Denali. Elbrus. Everest. Kilimanjaro. Kosciuszko. Vinson. To a climber, these mountains are known as the Seven Summits the highest peaks on each continent. If you've ever dreamed of climbing Denali or Everest, or joining the even more exclusive Seven Summiters club, then Climbing the Seven Summits is the guide you need to turn your dream into reality. With professional climber Mike Hamill as your guide, you will discover different approaches to tackling the list, as well as details on what you'll need to plan an expedition and what to expect from each climb. For each mountain you'll learn about: documents and immunizations, expedition costs, training, guiding options, climbing styles, best seasons, essential gear, day by day itineraries, summit routes, maps showing approaches and camps, regional natural history, cultural notes, and even post climb activities like going on safari in Africa or wine touring in South America. Throughout you'll also find helpful and inspiring stories from the likes of Conrad Anker, Vern Tejas, Damien Gildea, Eric Simonson, and other famed climbers. Special insider tips from Hamill, based on his years of experience, as well as full color photographs of each peak round out this collectible guidebook. And, because there remains some controversy about whether Kosciuszko in Australia or Carstenz Pyramid on the island of New Guinea is the seventh summit,this guide to the Seven Summits actually covers eight mountains! Within mountaineering circles there is debate over which peaks are considered the official Seven Summits. For the purposes of this guidebook, the Seven Summits are based on the continental model used in Western Europe, the United States, and Australia, also referred to as the Bass list.