SUMMITS OF EUROPE
ATTEMPTING TO CLIMB THE HIGHST PEAK OF EVERY COUNTRY IN EUROPE BACK TO BACK
SUMMITS OF EUROPE
ATTEMPTING TO CLIMB THE HIGHST PEAK OF EVERY COUNTRY IN EUROPE BACK TO BACK
44 peaks
46 COUNTRIES
the challenge
Aaron is attempting to summit the highest mountain in each of all 46 countries of Europe back to back. He will undertake this expedition unsupported and largely solo. Aaron will be aiming to:
✔ set a new Guinness World Record.
✔ climb over 75,000m of ascent.
✔ travel 32,000 miles between the peak's high points.
HIS STORY
ABOUT AARON
Aaron was lucky enough to grow up in the Lake District, climbing his first peaks from as young as 5 years old. Since then, he’s taken his love for the mountains global,
He works as an adventure photographer based between his home in London and the Alps. Aaron has successfully completed a variety of endurance challenges including a World Series Adventure race, Evergreen Ironman distance Alpine triathlon and a cycling world record. He also has a number of notable mountaineering ascents including the Matterhorn traverse, Mount Kazbek & many more 4000m and 5000m+ peaks around the world. He is now looking to bring his love for mountaineering to this ultimate back-to-back endurance challenge.
Although thriving in situations that require significant self-reliance in remote areas, he will be inviting anyone to join him along his World Record attempt around Europe.
and what's involved
the plan
Starting on 1st June on Mount Elbrus in Russia, Aaron will be attempting to climb the high point of every European country in one continuous expedition. He will be aiming to set a new Guinness World Record in the fastest known time, which is currently set just under 6 months.
The vast majority of these climbs will involve one single but full day to reach the summit and back with many coming in around 900-2200m ascent. A small number will involve a short walk in lower lying countries that are easier to access such as Belgium or Malta and some will be much more committing indeed. The peaks in the greater ranges such as the Alps or Caucusus as well as the extremely remote high points such as Sweden’s Kebnekaise will require multiple days out on the mountain, even in good weather.
Perhaps surprisingly to many, there isn’t necessarily a simple method of defining which countries that are in Europe, the EU is an Economic Union with 27 states and the European Council is missing Belarus which among others, is clearly geographically in Europe. Using the list provided by Guinness, there are 44 peaks in 46 countries.
In addition to climbing the highest peaks, Aaron will also be travelling between peaks largely solo and unsupported. This means Aaron will need to prepare all of his food supplies required on the move and travel from country to country driving himself or organising his own flights and accommodation as required. In an attempt to reduce his footprint from this travel-heavy expedition, he will be using land transport where possible and cycle between peaks when time and distances allows. Furthermore, Aaron has pledged to carbon offset the impact of the trip by helping to fund new renewable energy projects that will replace the amount of carbon emitted from his trip and then double it.
Although he will have a variety of mountain conditions to contend with, using his experience in the mountains and high levels of fitness, he plans to move swiftly aiming to climb the peaks in under 60 days, beating the current World Record by a whole 4 months.
THE SUMMITS
"The days... the sheer length of the expedition and the diversity of peaks and landscapes I'll be facing ... that's what excites me the most. I've never dealt with this level of logistical complexity, it's going to be a nightmare and I can't wait! Hopefully I can inspire more people to get outside and face their own personal challenges, however big or small."
Aaron Rolph
make a donation
the cause
Aaron will be fundraising for the British Rescue Trust and setting up a funraising page in due course. British Rescue Trust that supports three UK based emergency charities.
These instirutions include the Mountain Bothy Association, Association of Air Ambulances and Mountain Rescue. He hopes to raise in excess of £2500 which will be split evenly between the causes. At British Adventure Collective, we want to give back to these excellent institutions who support adventurers when they need it most!
supported by
Aaron is hugely grateful for the support of these brands for providing the best equipment out there.
We are still fundraising to help contribute to the logistics costs, as well as producing a short film of the expedition. Anyone who wishes to find out more about this, or is interested in supporting in any way, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Aaron on aaron@britishadventurecollective.com
follow AARON's progress
(updated every few days)
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PEAK COUNTER
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