Seven Summits and Explorers Grand Slam
The Explorers Grand Slam (Last Degree) is an adventurers' challenge to reach the North Pole, South Pole and climb the Seven Summits.
When the North and South Poles are reached by skiing from no closer than the 89° of latitude (69 miles or 111 km), this is referred to as the “last degree”. The Explorers Grand Slam can also be achieved by starting at the coast, a much longer trek.
The Seven Summits refers to the highest mountain on each continent. There are two common versions that qualify for the Seven Summits and I will attempt both:
- Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Carstensz Pyramid (also called Puncak Jaya), and Vinson (the "Messner version")
- Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Kosciuszko, and Vinson (the "Bass version")
As of 2017, 16 people are recorded as having achieved the Explorers Grand Slam by completing both versions of the Seven Summits (8 mountains) and reaching both Poles by no closer than the last degree, a total of 10 tasks. A total of 46 people have completed one or the other version (7 mountains, 9 tasks).
More information on the Explorers Grand Slam (Last Degree) can be found at http://explorersgrandslam.com or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explorers_Grand_Slam#People_who_completed_The_Explorers_Grand_Slam
For more information on the Seven Summits, go to http://7summits.com or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Summits
Scheduled, Planned, & Completed Events
TRAINING EVENTS GRAND SLAM EVENTS
Mt. Rainier
Washington, USA for training
14,411 ft (4392 m)
May 14-19, 2017
RMI EXPEDITIONS
SUMMITTED (May 19)
Mt. Elbrus (Russia)
18,510 ft (4892 m)
Highest mountain in Europe
July 21-August 2, 2017
RMI EXPEDITIONS
SUMMITTED (July 28)
Smith Rocks Climbing Seminar
Oregon, USA for training
September 11-14, 2017
INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN GUIDES
COMPLETED
Carstensz Pyramid (Indonesia)
16,024 ft (4884 m)
Highest mountain in Oceania
October 16-28, 2017
INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN GUIDES
SUMMITTED (Oct. 23)
Mt. Kosciuszko (Australia)
7310 ft (2228 m)
Highest mountain in Australia
October 29 - November 1, 2017
SELF-GUIDED
SUMMITTED (Oct. 31)
Polar Expedition Training
Lake Winnipeg, Canada
January 13-20, 2018
ERIC LARSEN EXPLORE
COMPLETED
Aconcagua (Argentina)
22,841 ft (6962 m)
Highest mountain in South America
Attempted: Jan. 27 - Feb. 18, 2018
Reached Camp Piedras Blancas (19,500 ft)
North Pole - Last Degree
April 11-25, 2018
ERIC LARSEN EXPLORE
COMPLETED (April 20)
Denali (Alaska, USA)
20,310 ft (6190 m)
Highest mountain in North America
Attempted: June 4-24, 2018
Reached Camp 4 (14,200 ft)
Mt. Kilimanjaro (Tanzania)
19,341 ft (5895 m)
Highest mountain in Africa
First attempt: August 5-19, 2017
Reached Barafu Camp (15,223 ft)
July 22-31, 2018
BARKING ZEBRA TOURS
SUMMITTED (July 28)
Vinson Massif (Antarctica)
16,050 ft (4892 m)
Highest mountain in Antarctica
Nov. 23 - Dec. 9, 2018
ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS
SUMMITTED (Dec. 5)
South Pole - Last Degree
December 10-21, 2018
ANTARCTIC LOGISTICS & EXPEDITIONS
COMPLETED (Dec. 17)
Mt. Everest (Nepal)
29,035 ft (8850 m)
Highest mountain in Asia (and on Earth)
Attempt: March 23 - April 19, 2019
Reached Khumbu Icefall (19,000)
Summited Lobuche (20,000 ft)
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