TRAIL
Running Up Mountains
Brazilian ultra-distance runner Fernanda Maciel is using her ultra-running talent not only to set new records on the highest mountains of each continent , but also to create positive change through her both environmental advocacy and athleticism . BY RED BULL with SEAN FALCONER
In April 1985 , American businessman and mountaineer Richard Bass became the first recorded climber to reach the summit of all seven of the highest mountains on each of the seven traditional continents . This saw him climb Aconcagua for South America , McKinley ( now Denali ) for North America , Kilimanjaro for Africa , Elbrus for Europe , Vinson for Antarctica , Kosciuszko for Australia , and finally Everest for Asia .
There are a number of different versions of the Seven Summits list , depending on one ’ s definition of a continent , or the borders of the various continents . This is why some consider Mont Blanc in France the highest peak in Europe , while others say it is Mount Elbrus in Russia , and it depends whether the crest of the Greater Caucasus Mountains are considered the continental boundary between Asia and Europe . The second debate is between Puncak Jaya ( also known as Carstensz Pyramid ) in Indonesia versus Mount
Kosciuszko for the continent of Australia , which depends on whether one includes the Sahul Shelf as part of the continental shelf of Australia ( Oceania ), or only mainland Australia as the continent . This contributes to there being seven possible versions of the seven summits , with the Messner version , named after legendary Italian climber Reinhold Messner , including Elbrus and Puncak Jaya .
Since Bass achieved the feat in 1985 , around 500 climbers have achieved the seven summits , and in January 2023 , renowned US rock climbing magazine Climbing said that “ while reaching the peak of the Seven Summits is no longer considered a significant achievement amongst mountaineers , it remains a popular challenge for ‘ adventure mountaineers ’ using expedition climbing techniques . Then there is Brazilian ultra-distance runner Fernanda Maciel , who is currently busy with her quest to set the Fastest Known Time ( FKT ) on the seven summits of the Messner version .
Frightening Experience
On October 17 , the Red Bull-sponsored Maciel ticked off the fifth summit in her Seven Summit ascent quest when she ran to the summit of Puncak Jaya in Indonesia . She covered the 3.41km ascent from Base Camp at 4300 metres , ascending 582 metres over rugged limestone in just one hour and four minutes .
The Aconcagua run included some technical rope traverses
Fernanda Maciel starts her Aconcagua FKT attempt
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