How to Climb the Seven Summits

Start with the easiest climb. Kosciuszko, the tallest peak on the Australian continent, is the lowest and easiest range of the Seven Summits. Kosciuszko is 7,310 feet to the summit and is a hike. There is no technical climbing to the Kosciuszko trail and it is a good introduction to the peak bagging world. In addition, because the elevation is low, there is little worry about high altitude sickness. Prepare for this peak with general hiking and physical conditioning.

Head off to Kenya, on the African continent, to Kilimanjaro. Kilima N'Jaro (as the locals call it) is 19,339 feet, and is primarily on the Tanzanian side of the Kenyan and Tanzanian border. Plan 10 days for the Kilimanjaro climb as it requires acclimatization as you work your way up the summit. Kilimanjaro does not require technical climbing skills, but it is a true adventure as it takes you through five different eco-systems on the way to the top. Keep an eye out for "Hemingway's Leopard" along the trail. Kilimanjaro is a good second mountain as you have to take the elevation and potential illness into consideration.

Make your way to Mount Elbrus, in Russia, to bag the tallest mountain in Europe. Elbrus is 18,481 feet high, but is a technical climb once over 16,000 feet. Due to the latitude, Elbrus is a challenge, and a good one to prep you for the next climb of Aconcagua in South America. Due to difficult Russian visa requirements, prepare for this climb months in advance and make arrangements with local Russian outfits to secure permits and supplemental oxygen. Learn as much as possible regarding technical ice and rock skills with your teammates or guide on Elbrus. This is a good mountain to begin honing skills for the more advanced peaks of the Seven Summits.

Take yourself to Argentina and go for Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in South America. This Andean peak has been described as "a pile of rocks" due to the upper sections being nothing more than scree and talus slopes. Aconcagua is 22,840 feet, making elevation sickness a reality for those inexperienced or under prepared. There is little technical climbing, as Aconcagua is really just a long slog at altitude. Prepare for the Aconcagua climb by strengthening knee and leg muscles as the scree and talus are difficult on the legs and knee joints.

Go north to Alaska and attempt the northernmost summit of the Seven Summits. Denali is North America's tallest summit at 20,320 feet and is considered one of the most difficult mountains in the world. This is because Denali is at 64 degrees latitude, and the weather patterns are atrocious. It is not uncommon for the windchill to be --80 or more along the upper sections of this peak. Bring clothing and balaclavas that cover all exposed skin to prevent frostbite and frozen flesh. The remote nature of the mountain makes approaches difficult and most expeditions hire air charters to fly them into the Ruth Glacier to base camp. Denali is good preparation for the next peak, Vinson Massif in Antarctica.

Plan a flight to Buenos Aires or Auckland, New Zealand, and use them as the jump-off points for your trip to the bottom of the world. Vinson Massif is the tallest peak in Antarctica. This is no realm for newbies or wannabees. This is where a guide is a necessity and not an option. Be prepared to part with many of your hard earned dollars, as just getting into Vinson Massif is a huge expense. You have a very short window of opportunity weather-wise, being between late December through late January --- the peak of the Austral summer. Vinson Massif is 16,067 feet high, weather conditions rival that on Denali and there are no true rescue resources. Get travel insurance with a cancellation policy. Because of the expense and the potential for the weather to deter flights, this insurance is a way of getting some money back should the trip get cancelled. Include a search and rescue rider to the insurance coverage. This ensures if a rescue can get in, you do not end up with a rescue bill that could be upwards of half a million to over one million dollars.

Hire a guide for the last challenge, Mount Everest. "Because it is there" was George Mallory's famous quip about why men climb the mountain. Everest represents the crown of mountaineering as it is the tallest mountain in the world. Everest is 29,029 feet high. Routes exist on both the Tibetan and Nepalese side. If the Tibetan side is attempted, be prepared to jump through dozens of Chinese bureaucratic hoops as the permitting process is difficult. It is easier to get permits for the Nepalese side, but much more expensive. Everest is over 8000 meters; the point referred to as the "death zone". Supplemental oxygen is a near necessity for those with little experience and a guide is an absolute must for those with modest climbing resumes. Hire the guide and operations as they have connections for oxygen, Sherpas and permits.