Live Your Best Lives
There are many numbers in the world that can easily reveal your interests and hobbies, such as 1024, 404, 2077, 23, 0713, etc., covering digital, games, sports, and entertainment. Do you know what these numbers mean? 😆
Mount Everest photo source @Kangaroo
And some numbers allow others to see at a glance that you are an outdoorsman!
For example, 8848 (the altitude of Mount Everest), 141 (rock climbing term, referring to the 5.14 difficult route), and the 14+7+2 we are going to introduce today. 👇
Mount Everest
Everyone knows that the highest honor in table tennis is the Grand Slam. In fact, the mountaineering world also has its own Grand Slam, which is 14+7+2. So what do these numbers represent?
"14+7+2" is recognized as the ultimate challenge in the mountaineering community, representing the pinnacle of achievement. Specifically, it involves climbing 14 independent peaks above 8,000 meters, conquering the highest peaks on all seven continents, and reaching both the North and South Poles on foot.
K2
First, let's look at the 14 8,000-meter peaks. These massive peaks, known as the "Death Zone," are all located in the Himalayas and Karakoram ranges of Asia. The highest of these is Mount Everest (8,848 meters), and the lowest is Shishapangma (8,027 meters).
Shishapangma
These peaks are extremely difficult and dangerous to climb. For example, although Mount Annapurna was the first 8,000-meter peak to be climbed, its mortality rate is as high as about 32%.
Annapurna
The second Nepal ABC Trekking Conference real shot source @kangaroo
Among them, Shishapangma is the only one of the 14 peaks that is completely located in China.
The mainstream versions of the highest peaks of the 7 continents are:
Mount Everest in Asia (8,848 meters)
Mount Aconcagua in South America (6,962 meters)
Denali in North America (6,190 meters)
Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa (5,895 meters)
Mount Elbrus in Europe (5642 meters)
Puncak Jaya (4,884 meters) in Oceania
Mount Vinson in Antarctica (4,892 meters)
The final "2" represents the two poles of the Earth: the North Pole and the South Pole.
Unlike mountaineering, polar expeditions require trekking across extremely cold ice sheets, presenting completely different challenges. To reach the North Pole, one must traverse the Arctic Ocean's floating ice, while to reach the South Pole, one must traverse the Antarctic continent's ice sheet.
The entire tourists group landed in Antarctica. Source: @小澈
Only a handful of climbers have achieved the feat of "14+7+2." As of 2023, only about 40 people worldwide have achieved this feat. The most famous of these is Italian climber Messner, the legendary first climber to summit all 14 8,000-meter peaks without oxygen.
This challenge is not only a test of physical fitness, but also an ultimate test of willpower. Every mountain and every extreme point represents a challenge to the limits of nature by mankind.
Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe
Interestingly, the highest peaks in Europe and Oceania are actually controversial. The most controversial one is the highest peak in Europe, with some people believing it should be Mont Blanc (4,808 meters). There are also different standards for identifying the highest peak in Oceania, with Ponte Jaya and Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 meters).
Mont Blanc Hike
This controversy is mainly due to the fact that both peaks are located at the geographical junction of continents. This dispute is more geographical. The same problem becomes much simpler in the outdoor world. Everyone will choose the higher and more difficult one, so it is assumed that Elbrus (5642 meters) and Puncak Jaya (4884 meters) are the challenges required to climb the highest peaks of the seven continents.
Elbrus Climb
Tourists also selected Elbrus and Puncak Jaya as the peaks for our "7+2 Challenge", which are less controversial but also more challenging.
In 2024, Tourists officially restarted the "7+2 Challenge Plan" and successfully launched multiple Kilimanjaro teams. In 2025, the second route, Elbrus, was also successfully launched. This year, Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America, and Puncak Jaya, the highest peak in Oceania, will also be launched. Everyone can look forward to it.
Since last year, tourists have resumed their Kilimanjaro climbing itineraries, and at the beginning of this year, they held the first Kilimanjaro Climbing Conference, maintaining a full summit rate with no unexpected descents.
As another recommended entry-level route for 7+2, this one is also highly recommended!
Tourists wind team all members "cloud" climbed to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Source: @kangaroo
At 5,895 meters, Mount Kilimanjaro, the summit of Africa, is the only intercontinental peak on Earth that can be climbed without any technical equipment! It's also the tallest single mountain in the world, giving you two peaks at once!
The whole journey goes from tropical rainforest to glacial wasteland, hiking through 5 vertical climate zones, namely:
Tropical rainforest belt (1,800-2,800 meters)
Shrub-steppe zone (2,800-4,000 m)
High moorland desert zone (4,000-5,000 meters)
Alpine cold desert (5,000-5,500 meters)
Glacier belt (above 5,500 meters)
It's like climbing a three-dimensional earth museum.
This place also has world-class sunrises and seas of clouds. If you set out in the early morning on the summit day, you can just see the sunrise at sunrise (be sure to remember to wear sunscreen). At the top of the mountain, you can see the first ray of sunlight shining on the African continent. The morning sun dyes the sea of clouds golden, and there is no end in sight. Stepping on the volcanic ash and looking up at the Milky Way and the snowfield shining together, it is like a dream. At this moment, all the fatigue in the body is swept away, and what comes in return is shock and emotion. This emotion is enough to heal a lifetime.
Kilimanjaro has two climbing seasons: the short dry season (from January to March) with clear skies and the long dry season (from June to October) (avoiding the rainy season). The long dry season offers stable weather and an easier climb, while the short dry season boasts the most snow, giving you the feeling of climbing a snowy mountain!
Did you know?
According to scientists' analysis, by 2030, all the snow on the top of Kilimanjaro during the dry season will disappear, and it will become a high-altitude volcano, and the equatorial snow mountain wonder will disappear!
While the snow is still there, hurry up and go climbing!
Tourists attend the first Kilimanjaro climbing meeting
Image source: @Kangaroo
China-TravelNote chose the Lemosho route for its Kilimanjaro climb, which has the highest summit rate. This route has ample acclimatization period and a very scientific itinerary to ensure a summit.
Kilimanjaro Departure | 5-9 Days
7+2 Challenge the World's Top: Mount Kilimanjaro | The Equatorial Snow Mountain is About to Disappear
￥15200 from 123 people have registered. Register now.How to avoid altitude sickness when climbing snow-capped mountains?
After reading the introduction of 7+2, many friends may worry about altitude sickness and difficulty and dare not try it. Some friends lack respect for the mountains and think that as long as they have legs, they will be able to climb. However, in actual climbing, the pain of altitude sickness becomes a stumbling block for everyone to reach the summit, and in the end they can only give up with regret.
In fact, as long as there is a suitable method and strict implementation, the probability of successfully reaching the summit will be greatly increased. So how to achieve it?
Nepal ABC Trekking Photo Source @Kangaroo
First and foremost, proper itinerary planning and a gradual elevation gain are crucial. When climbing a snowy mountain, especially for those with limited altitude experience, a rapid ascent is crucial. Allow ample time for acclimatization to avoid excessive stress on the body. Tourists' 7+2 itineraries take altitude acclimatization into account, providing ample acclimatization time and significantly reducing the risk of altitude sickness.
Image source: @Kangaroo
The second key is to prepare thoroughly before your trip, both physically and mentally. We recommend starting physical training two months in advance and understanding the mechanisms and symptoms of altitude sickness, ensuring you neither underestimate it nor become overly concerned. When you sign up for a tourist-style trip, you'll receive a one-on-one training plan and receive online pre-trip information on altitude sickness, ensuring everyone is fully prepared both physically and mentally.
Mount Kilimanjaro photo source @Kangaroo
The third point is to control the pace of climbing to the summit. As the highest and most difficult part of climbing, the tour leader will help everyone find the most comfortable climbing rhythm and climb to the summit slowly, so that everyone's heart rate and breathing are within a comfortable range to ensure a successful summit.
Kilimanjaro summit
The fourth point is adequate diet and sleep. A high-carb diet and adequate sleep are effective ways to avoid altitude sickness. Sufficient physical strength can allow you to adapt to the environment faster. The tourists-style 7+2 tour includes meals throughout the trip, which are not only delicious and nutritious, but also provide a comfortable sleeping environment, greatly reducing the possibility of altitude sickness.
"14+7+2" is a hall-level challenge for outdoor activities and a goal that every outdoor enthusiast wants to conquer in his lifetime. Come and follow the tourists and challenge the top of the world together!
