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SUMMITS
EVEREST
ASIA 29,029 FT | 8,848 M
ACONCAGUA
SOUTH AMERICA 22,841 FT | 6,962 M
DENALI
NORTH AMERICA 20,320 FT | 6,196 M
KILIMANJARO
AFRICA 19,340 FT | 5,892 M
Elbrus
EUROPE 18,510 FT | 5,642 M
Vinson Massif
ANTARCTICA 16,050 FT | 4,892 M
Carstenz Pyramid
ASTRALASIA 16,024 FT | 4.884 M

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The 7 Summits

Fewer than 300 humans have climbed the seven highest summits on each continent. Each summit poses a different challenge to the physical, mental, and emotional resources of the climber. Due to differing interpretations between political and geological boundaries, there are varying definitions of what composes the seven summits. But most mountaineers abide by Reinhold Messner’s list, which seeks the highest possible climb.

The Height of the Seven Summits
Mountain Height (feet) Height (meters) Continent Chief Dangers
Everest 29,029ft 8,848m Asia Altitude, ice falls, temperature changes
Aconcagua 22,841ft 6,962m South America Cold, altitude
Denali 20,320ft 6,194m North America Cold, altitude, hidden crevasses
Kilimanjaro 19,340ft 5,892m Africa Altitude
Elbrus 18,510ft 5,642m Europe Storms, whiteouts
Vinson Massif 16,050ft 4,892m Antartica Cold
Carstenz Pyramid 16,024ft 4,884m Australasia War, lack of rock climbing skills

Altitude Sickness
The term altitude sickness covers a group of symptoms—from bothersome to fatal--that may appear once someone is more than 8,000 feet (2,400 meters) above sea level. Not everyone gets altitude sickness and there is no way to predict who is at risk. Most symptoms are thought to be caused by low CO2 levels that raise blood alkalinity. This explains why extra oxygen does not always alleviate the symptoms. Altitude sickness can often be prevented by ascending in slow stages, with returns to lower altitudes to sleep. The physical ease of climbing Kilimanjaro lends itself to altitude sickness, as people often ascend it too quickly without giving their bodies a chance to acclimatize.

Milder symptoms that indicate altitude sickness include vomiting, appetite loss, and nausea; persistent headaches; trouble sleeping; dizziness; fatigue; shortness of breath when active; a pins and needles sensation; and swollen hands, feet, and ankles. If altitude sickness advances to the point of cerebral edema (swelling of the brain) or pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) it can be fatal.

 

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