On top of the world

Mountaineer Romi Garduce made history as the first Filipino to reach the seven summits in the seven continents–Pito para sa Pilipino–after he planted the Philippine flag on the peak of Vinson Massif in Antartica on January 5 (January 6, Philippine time).

Accompanied by five other climbers, Garduce was able to complete his journey in six days thanks to favorable conditions, according to a Manila Bulletin report.

This successful attempt to reach the highest peak in Antartica was featured in parts on GMA 7 to show Garduce’s progress. He and his group steadily made their way up, battling with the extreme cold, and setting camp under a sky that continued to remain bright even at 4:00 in the morning.

In spite of his best efforts, Levi Nayahangan, a member of the University of the Philippines Mountaineers (UPM) like Garduce, had to abandon the quest before the group reached the top due to a respiratory infection.

Manila Bulletin reported that Garduce reached the other six summits in this order: “Africa’s Mt Kilimanjaro (19,340 ft.)in 2002; South America’s Mt Aconcagua (22,841 ft.) in 2005; world’s highest, Asia’s Mt Everest (29,035 ft.) in 2006; Europe’s Mt Elbrus (18,510 ft.) in 2007; North America’s Mt McKinley (20,320 ft.) in 2008, and Oceania’s Carstensz Pyramid (16,024 ft.) in 2011.”

For more information, see the Manila Bulletin Romi Garduce makes history by completing “Seven Summits” expedition.

Image from Microsoft Office website.