California Teen Conquers The Seven Summits

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While the rest of us were busy shopping for Christmas gifts, 15-year old Jordan Romero was doing what he loves best - Climbing a mountain. And not just any mountain, but Antarctica's Mt. Vinson Massif -The last peak the California teen had to reach, before realizing his dream of scaling the iconic seven summits!

Jordan, his dad and stepmother, who have accompanied him on all his climbs, began the treacherous ascent on December 21st. Plagued by strong winds and sub-zero temperatures, the team plodded up for two and a half days, finally reaching the 16,050ft. peak at 1.pm local time on Christmas Eve.

Once there, the youngster performed his usual ritual of calling his mother to let her know that he had conquered yet another peak - This one was of course extra special, given that it was the Jordan's seventh and final summit, one that earned him a well-deserved spot in the Guinness Book of Records for being the Youngest to climb 7 summits. The best part was, that Jordan and his team were able to safely descend the mountain and ski back to base camp, just in time for Christmas dinner.

Jordan's dream of climbing the highest peak in every continent, i.e. the seven summits, began at the age of ten, after he saw a mural featuring them at his elementary school. Fortunately, his father and stepmother both avid climbers, encouraged him to fulfill his quest.

Without wasting much time that same year, the trio embarked on conquering their first mountain - Africa's tallest, the 19,341ft. Mt. Kilimanjaro. Next came Australia's Mt. Kosciuszko, then Europe's Mt. Elbrus, followed by South America's Mt. Aconcagua, North America's Mt. Denali and Oceania's Mt. Castensz Pyramid.

In 2010, the now 13-year old Jordan decided he was ready to conquer the highest of all peaks - the 29,035 Mt. Everest. This decision aroused a world-wide debate about the dangers of allowing someone this young, to tackle the deadly mountain. However, the teen did not let that deter him in pursuing his dream. Not only did he return in one piece, he also, earned himself a spot in the record books.

With this mission fulfilled, we wonder what the charismatic teenager is going to aspire for next - Going to the moon perhaps?

Resources: Jordanromero.com, worldrecordsacademy.org, bbc.co.uk

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242 Comments
  • zuko
    zukoalmost 13 years
    awesome.........{{{{{{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
    • zuko
      zukoalmost 13 years
      awesome...........
      • tiffanyalmost 13 years
        wow awesome
        • babyalmost 13 years
          this is cool
          • Emilyalmost 13 years
            wow!This guy is so brave to climb all these montains.I can't belive he also climbed mount everest.I wonder if Jordon will be a famous climber?
            • Stephalmost 13 years
              I saw that kid on t.v! He is so lucky to be on t.v,magazines, and the record book! 7 mountians,- that's alot! I still can't belive he climb mt.everest! :o
              • Ryanalmost 13 years
                That video was short.Why would he do that.Why do his parents encourage him.Jordon is very br.ave.
                • donutman55
                  donutman55almost 13 years
                  That was so cool. That's amazing! I bet I couldnt clib that.
                  • jackthefamous
                    jackthefamousalmost 13 years
                    WOW! I wouldn't have climbed the whole 7 summits. I wonder if he took deep risks to climb the whole thing! i'm reading a book about a teen climbing mount Everest. I really want to see how long it took him to climb all of those mountains! The video was a little short ad boring T_T. If i were him i would be really really REALLY scared i'm gonna just like fall off the side of a HUGE mountains. When i was little i used to play this little kid game where you snowboard down the 7 summits.
                    • Cupidessalmost 13 years
                      That is very amazing! A thirteen year old climbed seven very big mountains. I think it is really super that Jordan climbed all those mountains. I would never be able to do that. Would you be able to do that? I don't think that they let teenagers on the moon. There are many different things for that boy to do. I wonder what he does next!