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13-year old eyes Everest, Seven Summits
13-year old mountaineer Jordan Romero set off for Kathmandu yesterday, where he hopes to not only become the youngest climber to ever summit Mt. Everest but the Seven Summits as well.We first mentioned Jordan more than a year ago. At the time, he had already well into his quest to climb the highest mountains on each of the seven continents, having completed Kilimanjaro (Africa), Elbrus (Europe), Aconcagua (South America), Denali (North America), and Kosciuszko (Australia). He has since added Carstensz Pyramid in Papua New Guinea, considered the highest peak in Oceania to his resume. That leaves just Everest and Mt. Vinson in Antarctica. left to conquer. If successful on Everest, he'll go for Vinson in the fall.
Jordan and his team, which includes his father, will be climbing from the North Side of Everest, located in Tibet. The South Side falls under the jurisdiction of Nepal, who enforce an age requirement of 16 years or older on all climbers, but the Chinese have no such restrictions on their side of the mountain, which is why Jordan and company have elected to take on the mountain from the North. Curiously, the team is also making the climb with out the support of guides.
A few days back, we had a little fun here at Gadling with a host of April Fool's Day travel posts. My contribution to those posts was written in the spirit of good fun of course, but was also meant as a bit of social commentary. While I completely respect what Jordan has accomplished as a climber already, I'm not a huge fan of the recent trend to have younger and younger kids attempting dangerous things in order to claim some dubious "youngest" record. Climbing Everest will be unlike any of the other mountains that he has summitted, and spending time above 26,000 feet, dubbed the "Death Zone" in popular culture, is dangerous for a full grown man or woman. It could be potentially disastrous for a young, still developing teen. Hopefully everything will go well, and he'll come home safe and sound. Reaching the summit is optional, coming back home is not.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jessica Skelton Apr 6th 2010 2:17PM
Wow, that is certainly impressive, but I must agree with you about the questionable reasoning behind doing something potentially dangerous just to be the youngest to do so. Hopefully this is something Jordan has chosen to do on his own; not something he has been pressured to do by overzealous parents.
Dr. Richard Sanderson Apr 6th 2010 2:43PM
This was what Jordan wanted to do? LMFAO! The entire stunt is brought to you by his father who looks the camera in the face and explains the logic of allowing Jordan to do what he did at 11, 12 and now 13 years of age.
His father created a mold of himself and as his birth mother stated, 'The endorcements are just flowing in'. The $$$$$ is piling up and the adulation that Romero (Daddy) basks in via the media.
It's a sham and a huge publicity stunt to earn his father the adulation of the media and public through his son. It is a great feat to have done what the kid has done in regards to the skill and determination, but to what purpose? This action on Everest would be illegal on the Nepal side of the border and risking his life at such a young age for cheap headlines is pathetic.
It is child abuse and the most extreme form of brainwashing by a parent- but you love the headlines- don't you Romero (Dad).
John Apr 6th 2010 2:43PM
This is reckless and irresponsible. The wishes of a child in this matter are irrelevant. The fatality rate I found for an Everest climb is 9.3%. What parent in their right mind would allow a child to attempt such a feat? As a parent of four, I strongly support a very broad view of parent’s rights; however when a parent allows or encourages such a dangerous activity the authorities should step in to protect a minor from irresponsible parents. That is a higher fatality rate than if he served a year in combat in Iraq. When adults want to frivolously risk their lives that is one thing, but to allow or encourage a child to take such risk is criminal.
And for what, fifteen minutes of fame for being the youngest. I hope and pray that someone will have the sense to halt this foolishness. If not, I hope and pray he survives. Perhaps an 11 year old will try to break his record and then perhaps a 9 year old. Doesn’t anyone remember Jessica Dubroff’s attempt to set the record for the youngest person to fly across the country in 1996. She unfortunately died in the attempt. Can anyone say it was worth it?
Life is full of risk, but to needlessly but a child in harms way is despicable.
David Judkins Apr 12th 2010 8:10PM
I think this is so cool. I take my girls skiing extreme terrain. No dollars. Just for the fun and glory of it. I'd love to be with Jordan and his family on their ascent.