In April we reported about 13-year-old Jordan Romero’s dream to be the youngest person to climb Mount Everest. At the time, age permits and high fees were a deterrent, but a few weeks ago, Romero’s dream came true when he officially became the youngest person to reach the summit of Everest.
To bypass the age restrictions, Romero decided to begin his climb from the Chinese side of the mountain. He started his ascent with his father, stepmother, and three sherpas as guides on Thursday, May 13. To help bring good luck to his climb, Romero also carried good luck charms: “a rabbit’s foot, a Tibetan prayer necklace, a cross from his grandfather, and a pair of kangaroo testicles given by a good friend.” (Sun-Sentinel.com)
By Friday, May 21, they had reached one of the highest summits, at 27,890 ft. He bypassed 16-year-old Tempa Tsheri as the youngest person to ever climb the mountain.
Once at the top, Romero called his mother to share his triumph. He also left his rabbit’s foot and “planted seeds that a Buddhist monk at a local monastery had given him for luck.” A team spokesperson also shared, “Jordan has now climbed Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa in 2006; Elbrus in Russia, Europe, and Aconcagua, Argentina, South America in 2007; Denali in Alaska, North America, 2008; Carstenz Pyramid, Indonesia, Oceania, 2009; and Everest, Asia: 2010.” (Telegraph.co.uk)
At 9-years-old, he was inspired to climb the world’s seven highest mountains, known as the Seven Summits, when he first saw a school mural. Now that he has climbed six mountains, he plans to tackle the last one, Vinson Massif in Antarctica, in either December 2010 or January 2011. After that, he plans to climb the highest peaks in all 50 states of America.
As Romero shared by satellite phone to reporters, “I’m doing this to inspire other kids, hopefully across the world, to get outdoors and to set goals in life…”I was happy…that I had accomplished something so unbelievable. It was a feeling that will definitely be with me for the rest of my life.” (Sun-Sentinel.com)
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