Meet the Japanese Teen Who’s Climbed 7 of the Highest Mountains on Earth
By King Malleta
December 9, 2016
Japanese teenager Marin Minamiya has conquered seven of the highest peaks in the world including every explorer’s dream – Mount Everest.
Marin is a 19-year-old university student who at her young age has achieved something quite remarkable, especially after confessing that scaling jaw-dropping mountains is just a “hobby” for her.
According to Asia One, after turning 17, Marin accepted the “Explorer’s Grand Slam” challenge. Marin will attempt to be the youngest person ever to climb seven peaks and go to opposite ends of the Earth – meaning the North Pole and the South Pole.
After conquering seven summits and travelling to the South Pole, Marin only needs to reach the North Pole to finish the circuit. So far, there are only 51 people who have managed to complete the challenge.
Marin started back in 2015 with Aconcagua — the highest peak in South America. She then proceeded to Vinson Massif in Antarctica in December of last year and also traveled to the South Pole. Her list grew with Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro, Russia’s Mount Elbrus, Australia’s Mount Kosciuszko, North America’s Mount McKinley, and the majestic Mount Everest. She also holds the record for being the youngest Japanese to ever reach the top of the world’s highest mountain.
While many might assume that reaching the top of these mountains must be the thrill that she is after, she explained that her reason is a bit different.
“I am not a climber so I do not intend to continue climbing high peaks,” Marin said. “I enjoy the process of getting there, meeting people. (It) is all about challenging yourself, you have to go over your own limits, fight your weakness. It’s almost like meditation and I really enjoy that.”
Marin is aiming to reach the North Pole by April 2017.
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