View from High Camp, Everest, Tibet
What are the 7 summits? Both lists and all 8 peaks
The highest mountain on each of the seven continents. Simple to say, and argued about since the first person set out to climb them: which continent, which summit, and who got there first.
Also written Seven Summits. The two versions are the Kosciuszko list (the Bass list) and the Carstensz Pyramid list (the Messner list).
7summits.com counts 814 climbers who have finished the 7 summits:
475 on the Kosciuszko list, 576 on the Carstensz list and 265 on both. The count updates with every approved record.
The 7 summits challenge
The 7 summits is the challenge of climbing the highest peak on each of the world's seven continents. Since Dick Bass completed the first confirmed ascent of all 7 in 1985, it has become one of mountaineering's most prestigious achievements, a benchmark that draws elite climbers, high-altitude veterans and driven amateurs alike.
On paper the 7 continents are straightforward. In practice the 7 summits span extreme altitude (Everest at 8,849 m29,032 ft), extreme cold (Vinson in Antarctica, Denali in Alaska), extreme remoteness (Carstensz, Vinson) and extreme logistics. No single peak dominates the difficulty: each summit has its own character, season, permit regime and cost.
Most finishers take several years and a significant budget. A handful have done it in under a year. The fastest rounds on record took about four months: see the leaderboards.
Two lists, eight mountains
Six summits are on both lists. Oceania is the argument: mainland Australia's Kosciuszko, or Carstensz Pyramid on New Guinea, which sits on the same continental shelf.
On both lists
Messner vs Bass
Everest 8,849 m29,032 ft
Aconcagua 6,961 m22,838 ft
Denali 6,190 m20,308 ft
Kilimanjaro 5,895 m19,341 ft
Elbrus 5,642 m18,510 ft
Vinson 4,892 m16,050 ft
Carstensz Pyramid 4,884 m16,024 ft · Indonesia576finished the Carstensz list
Kosciuszko 2,228 m7,310 ft · Australia475finished the Kosciuszko listThere are two accepted versions of the 7 summits, differing only in which peak represents Australasia or Oceania:
- The Kosciuszko list (Bass) uses Kosciuszko (2,228 m7,310 ft) on the Australian mainland. The easier of the two and the original version, popularised by Dick Bass himself after his 1985 completion.
- The Carstensz Pyramid list (Messner) uses Carstensz Pyramid (4,884 m16,024 ft) in Papua, Indonesia, chosen by Reinhold Messner as the true highest point of the Oceanian continental plate. More technical and considerably more remote.
The choice of list matters: Kosciuszko is a walk-up; Carstensz requires technical rock climbing at altitude with serious logistical challenges just to reach base camp.
How it began
The firsts, as the finisher record holds them.
- Dick BassFirst to finish, with Everest. Kosciuszko list.
- Gerry RoachSecond, with Vinson.
- Pat MorrowFirst on the Carstensz list, and first on both.
- Reinhold MessnerSecond on Carstensz, first without bottled oxygen on Everest.
- Junko TabeiFirst woman, on both lists.
- Today814finishers in the record.
First to finish
The first five on each list. All the records are on the leaderboards.
Kosciuszko list (Bass)
Carstensz list (Messner)
Both lists (all eight)
Who has finished?
This site maintains the most comprehensive public database of 7 summits finishers. The records go back to Dick Bass's 1985 completion and are updated as new finishers are verified. Use the Finishers section to browse by list, nationality or fastest time, or search for a specific climber.
The peaks
Which one first?
Ordered from the gentlest to the hardest, as a guided climb. Trip length is door to door; the cost is what a guided trip typically costs, before flights and gear.
| Peak | Height | Where | Difficulty | Best season | Trip length | Typical cost | Which list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Kosciuszko | 2,228 m7,310 ft | Australia | Beginner | Nov–Mar | 1 day | $500 | Bass |
 Elbrus | 5,642 m18,510 ft | Europe · Russia | Moderate | Jun–Sep | 8–10 days | $4,000 | Both |
 Kilimanjaro | 5,895 m19,341 ft | Africa · Tanzania | Moderate | Jan–Mar, Jun–Oct | 7–9 days | $3,500 | Both |
 Vinson | 4,892 m16,050 ft | Antarctica | Hard | Nov–Jan | 12–18 days | $48,000 | Both |
 Aconcagua | 6,961 m22,838 ft | South America · Argentina | Hard | Dec–Feb | 18–21 days | $4,500 | Both |
 Carstensz Pyramid | 4,884 m16,024 ft | Oceania · Indonesia | Very hard | Year-round | 10–14 days | $18,000 | Messner |
 Denali | 6,190 m20,308 ft | North America · United States | Very hard | May–Jun | 17–21 days | $9,000 | Both |
 Everest | 8,849 m29,032 ft | Asia · Nepal / China | Extreme | Apr–May | 60–65 days | $55,000 | Both |