Romi Garduce makes history by completing 'Seven Summits' expedition

Veteran mountaineer Romi Garduce reached the peak of Vinson Massif in Antartica on Jan. 6 (local time), cementing his place in history as the first Filipino to ever complete the “Seven Summits” of the world’s seven continents.

As posted on MountainMadness.com, which was reported on GMA-7’s “24 Oras” Friday, Romi and five others reached the top of the Vinson Massif at 6:45 p.m. Thursday (5:45 a.m. Friday, Philippine time). Romi and his fellow mountaineers achieved the feat six days since they arrived at the base camp, the report said.

Their timing seemed perfect, as “conditions were good throughout the day,” stated a post by one Mark G. on Mountain Madness. Although it was -26˚C cold, the weather had “reasonable temps and mild to moderate winds.”

Meanwhile, Romi's companion and fellow University of the Philippines Mountaineers (UPM) member Levi Nayahangan wasn't able to join him at the peak after suffering from respiratory infection at the high camp.

Nevertheless, the Mountain Madness entry stated, “...Levi has arrived safely back in Punta Arenas (Chile) after leaving the trip early… it just was not in the cards for Levi, but he made a great effort to stay with the team as much as he could.”

Mountain Madness recently tweeted that the climbers have already returned to the high camp, which is about 4,000 ft. below the Vinson Massif peak.

Romi’s grand quest constituted of reaching the peaks of the following mountains: 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.

He likewise climbed Mt. Kosciuszko in Australia back in 2008. However, its inclusion in the “Seven Summits” became a subject of debate: although it's the tallest mountain in Australia, it is perceived a not-so challenging climb, reported "24 Oras" July last year.

Of his expedition, Romi told “24 Oras” in its July report, “Ito kasi matagal ko nang naisip at pinlanong tapusin. In fact, for me, unfinished business siya eh. Nagpapasalamat tayo sa lahat ng nagdadasal, nagsusuporta para sa safety and success nitong expedition natin.”

As commendable as it is, reaching a summit is not everything for Romi.

"It takes more than competence and training to be a winner in this adventure sport. We derive meaning only if we back the summit with a cause.

"The expedition is a testament that we Filipinos value our tenancy on Earth. This is also my serious attempt to put the Philippine flag on this world renowned record," GMA News Online quoted him as saying in an article back in July.

By ROWENA JOY A. SANCHEZ
MB.COM.PH

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