The Challenge

The Seven Summits, Kilimanjaro, Denali, Elbrus, Aconcagua, Carstensz Pyramid, Vinson, and Everest, are the highest peak on each of the seven continents. There are only about 100 people, including 11 women, in the world who have succeeded in completing this physically and mentally demanding challenge. Lei, who has already successfully climbed six of the seven summits — Kilimanjaro (July 2003), Elbrus (Aug 2005), Denali (June 2007), Carstensz Pyramid (Nov 2007), Vinson (Dec 2007), and Aconcagua (Jan 2008) is going to finish the project by climbing Everest in 2009 and in so doing will become the first Chinese woman and the first Asian American woman to accomplish this feat.

In addition to the Seven Summits challenge, Lei has also skied to South Pole (Jan 2008) and North Pole (Apr 2008).

The Seven Summits

Mountain Feet Meters Location
Everest 29,029 8,848 Nepal/Tibet
Aconcagua 22,840 6,962 Argentina, South America
Denali (Mount McKinley) 20,320 6,195 Alaska, North America
Kilimanjaro 19,339 5,963 Tanzania, Africa
Elbrus 18,481 5,633 Russia, Europe
Vinson Massif 16,067 4,897 Ellsworth Range, Antarctica
Carstensz Pyramid 16,023 4,884 Indonesia, Oceania’s highest mountain.
Mount Kosciuszko 7,310 2,228 Australia