California Teen Conquers The Seven Summits
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While the rest of us were busy shopping for Christmas gifts, 15-year old Jordan Romero was doing what he loves best - Climbing a mountain. And not just any mountain, but Antarctica's Mt. Vinson Massif -The last peak the California teen had to reach, before realizing his dream of scaling the iconic seven summits!
Jordan, his dad and stepmother, who have accompanied him on all his climbs, began the treacherous ascent on December 21st. Plagued by strong winds and sub-zero temperatures, the team plodded up for two and a half days, finally reaching the 16,050ft. peak at 1.pm local time on Christmas Eve.
Once there, the youngster performed his usual ritual of calling his mother to let her know that he had conquered yet another peak - This one was of course extra special, given that it was the Jordan's seventh and final summit, one that earned him a well-deserved spot in the Guinness Book of Records for being the Youngest to climb 7 summits. The best part was, that Jordan and his team were able to safely descend the mountain and ski back to base camp, just in time for Christmas dinner.
Jordan's dream of climbing the highest peak in every continent, i.e. the seven summits, began at the age of ten, after he saw a mural featuring them at his elementary school. Fortunately, his father and stepmother both avid climbers, encouraged him to fulfill his quest.
Without wasting much time that same year, the trio embarked on conquering their first mountain - Africa's tallest, the 19,341ft. Mt. Kilimanjaro. Next came Australia's Mt. Kosciuszko, then Europe's Mt. Elbrus, followed by South America's Mt. Aconcagua, North America's Mt. Denali and Oceania's Mt. Castensz Pyramid.
In 2010, the now 13-year old Jordan decided he was ready to conquer the highest of all peaks - the 29,035 Mt. Everest. This decision aroused a world-wide debate about the dangers of allowing someone this young, to tackle the deadly mountain. However, the teen did not let that deter him in pursuing his dream. Not only did he return in one piece, he also, earned himself a spot in the record books.
With this mission fulfilled, we wonder what the charismatic teenager is going to aspire for next - Going to the moon perhaps?
Resources: Jordanromero.com, worldrecordsacademy.org, bbc.co.uk
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242 Comments
- Lauren Bieber over 12 yearsWOW!! I can not believe that a 13 year old boy climbed Mt. Everest. I think that would be cool but I do not think I can take the pressure of my hair getting all messy and feel so cold because I am always cold. He is so talented he is pretty amazing too. It is cool because he started this when he was 10 !!!!GOOD JOB FOR YOU !!!!! :)
- Dannyover 12 yearsWow that is so cool. I wonder how long it takes to climb those mountains. I would want to climb one.
zackmanover 12 yearsholy moly!!! that teen climbed that mountain. thats cool. yes cassandera we did see mount kilimanjaro at the high school!! that kid is only 13 years old.- Kristina!!!!over 12 yearsWOW!! I can not believe that a 13 year old boy climbed Mt. Everest ! I can not also believe that he was only looking at a picture and came up with a idea that would change his life forever ! I would think that climbing a humungus mountain would be really dangerous but he must have been very very brave to do this life thretening climb! I would like to say congrats to Jordan on 1. getting in the world records book, and 2. on completing his dream !!!
- sierraover 12 yearsWow, I can not believe that he climbed Mt. Everest when he was only 13! I wonder how long it took him to learn how to climb.I love to climb, so maybe one day I will climb a tall mountain too.He inspired me to climb the tallest mountain on earth
- J0rden R0mer0over 12 yearsWho thinks he's crazy? I do (But awsome). Mt. Everest?! Are you crazy?!
- Cassandraover 12 yearswow he's only 13 and he already climbed 7 mountains including mt. everest!!! didn't we see mount Kilimanjaro at the NASA thing we went to at the high school? I wonder if its fun to climb up a mountain :/
- zackmanover 12 yearswe did see mount kilimanjaro at the high school. from zack
- Evanover 12 yearsThat is outstanding. He made a record of youngest teen to climb the 7 tallest mountains. I wish that I could be him. Man, that is so cool that he climb Mt. Everest.
- G@brie!!@over 12 yearsOMG! He is so cool! Only at 15 he climbed 7 summits and that was remarkable.A natural born talent to climb all those mountains.
- Madisonover 12 yearsWow! That is a big accomplishment for a 15 year old! He climbed Mt virnen in california.IT must of been amazing to see the view from on top of a mountain.Good for him.