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).