Whilst researching Kilimanjaro I became aware of the 7 continent challenge where you climb the highest peak in each of the 7 continents.  I’m not and never have been a mountain climber so don’t have the skills to climb some of the peaks (e.g. to the summit of Everest) but the challenge of 7 continents and 7 summits was very appealing.  To cut a long story short I’ve decided to climb the 7 highest trekkable mountains in each continent for Charity with the first being Mount Kilimanjaro.

Other than the Everest trek I’m not yet sure of the order but here are the 7 summits I’m planning to complete.

• February 2011 – Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa) at 5,963m
• January 2012 – Everest base camp and Kala Patthar (the highest trekkable mountain in Asia) at 5,643m
• Mount Aconcagua (South America) at 6,962m
• Mount Elbrus at 5,633m or Mont Blanc (Europe) at 4,807m
• Mount McKinley (North America) at 6,105m
• Mount Vinson (Antarctica) at 4,892m (cost may make this trek inaccessible so may be replaced by another mountain)
• Mount Kosciuszko (Australia) at 2,228m

At this moment in time I’m not sure about Mount Vinson (due to a likely cost of £30,000) or Mount Kosciuszko (it’s only a small mountain!).  Therefore, these 2 may be replaced by 2 other extreme challenges or treks.

I’ve approached two people so far to see if they’d like to join me on my Charity challenge!  Hilary has said she’d like to wait until she’s climbed Kilimanjaro (I’m sure she now thinks she’s married an idiot!) and Nicole (who has already climbed Kilimanjaro) has said yes.  So fingers crossed there will be at least 3 of us going on this exciting adventure over the next few years and hopefully in the process raising lots money for Charity.

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