So the hype is 7 summits on 7 continents; so why title this piece 9 Summits?

Actually, it is to do with continental plates vs political demarcations on a map. The continents of Europe and Australia are at the centre of this debacle. Depending on whose point of view you are taking, you would need to summit 8 or 9 peaks to qualify. 9 summits will cater for all opinions and make you the worthy recipient of having summitted the highest peaks on all the continents on Earth.

Let’s start with Australia; the debate is whether Australia is a continent on its own or part of the larger Oceania. If the former, then Mt Kosciuszco becomes the highest mountain in Australia. If you accept that Australia is part of Oceania, then Puncak Jaya (Carstens Pyramid) in Indonesia replaces Mt Kosciuszco.

Similarity in Europe; the Caucuses mountain is either in Europe or in Asia, depending whether the depression or the Caucuses are the accepted divider between Asia and Europe. If you accept that The Caucuses mountain range is in Asia then Mt Elbrus is superseded by the giant in Asia i.e. Mt Everest which makes the highest mountain in Europe, Mont Blanc. If you accept that the Caucuses mountain range is in Europe then Mont Blanc is trumped by Mt. Elbrus.

So, if you want to be on the honour list of having summitted the highest peaks on all 7 continents, then climb the undisputed 5 namely (highest to lowest);

1. Mount Everest @ 8848 m in the Himalayan Range (Nepal)

2. Aconcagua @ 6961 m in the Andean Range (Argentina)

3. Denali (Mount McKinley)  @ 6194 m in the Alaskan Range (Alaska, USA)

4. Mount Kilimanjaro @5895 m in Tanzania – highest free standing mountain in the world

5.  Mount Vinson @ 4892 m in the Sentinel Range (Antartica)

And then the next 4 (highest to lowest)

6. Mount Elbrus @ 5642 m in the Caucuses Mountain Range (Russia)

7. Puncak Jaya (Carstens Pyramid) @ 4884 m in the Sudirman Range (Indonesia)

8. Mount Blanc @ 4810 m in the Alps (France and Italy)

9. Mount Kosciuszco @ 2228 m in the Great Dividing Range (Australia)

Crazy, if you ask me.