Jordan Romero on top of Carstensz Pyramid; photo: guardian.co.uk
This week, Jordan Romero will depart for Antarctica to check off the final peak, the Vinson Massif, in his quest to become the youngest person to reach the Seven Summits. Romero is just 15 years old. The Big Bear California native has reached six of the Seven Summits over the last five years, using both the Bass and Messner list. His accomplishments and world records to date include:
Africa- Kilimanjaro – July 22, 2006 (World Record- Age 10 )
Australia- Kosciuszko – April, 2007
Europe/Russia- Elbrus – July 11, 2007 (World Record- Age 10)
South America- Aconcagua – December 30, 2007 (World Record – Age 10)
North America- Denali – June 18, 2008 (missed world Record by 4 months, Age 11)
Oceana- Carstensz Pyramid – September 1, 2009 ( World Record- Age 11)
Asia – Mt. Everest – May 22, 2010 (World Record- Age 13)
Although the youngster has gained a fair amount of momentum in the media, he has also drawn a lot of criticism from the mountaineering community because of his age. Critics claim that he’s simply too young, both physically and mentally, to face the challenges associated with high altitude climbing (Guardian May 2010). In fact, after Romero summited Everest in 2010, the Chinese Tibet Mountaineering Association (CTMA) began to implement age restrictions when climbing from the north (age restrictions are already in place when climbing from the Nepal side). It’s notable that Romero’s father and climbing partner is a paramedic with a specialty in high-altitude physiology. George Atkinson currently holds the record at 16 years, 362 days.
What do you guys think- should stricter regulations be in place for climbing ages or should youths be able to pursue such goals free of red tape?
Its a little iffy weather or not he truly understands the magnitude of danger he is getting himself into, but who is Government to tell someone they can’t climb a mountain.
I wish him luck in Antarctica.
I don’t see a problem with him summiting these peaks at an early age. He probably has more experience and is better fit than most of the old couch potatoes who pay big money to climb these peaks.
The ages at which he climbs these peaks doesn’t seem to add up though unless I can’t do math. It looks like Aconcagua and Carstensz Pyramid should be ages 11 and 13 respectively.
People that are 3-4 times his age try to climb some of these peaks and make way worse decisions than he does. He is old enough to understand the risks and seems like he has the right support group and knowledgeable people surrounding him. Charge ahead! Anyone every tell a 10yr old they can’t rip a sick line? They can catch a rock or get in a slide there just the same.
You think the mountaineering community is just pissed a 15 year old has done things that most of them haven’t done? If they start putting restrictions on who can climb mountains then we might as well put a hammer and sickle on our flag right now.
lachnload…you ain’t too smaht is you? i bet you hang out with former x games snowlerbladers and order al la carte sushi. get a job you bum
he has no idea right now but he is going to slay poon when he’s older.
tru tru
i was less impressed with these physical feats when i learned he is actually some sort of wizard who can control time. in july 06 he was 10 years old. 37 months later in september 09, he had only aged 1 year. then, in the following 8 months he was able to age 2 whole years.
hes a godamn cheater
I wish my daddy would pay for all that. And have sherpas to wipe my ass for me too.
Apart from the fact that he might not be strong enough (which it doesn’t look like that is the problem), part of the accomplishment of reaching these peaks is the planning and logistics. My guess is that his dad plans it all and makes all the important decisions and he’s just along for the ride.