“Took Me Eleven Years” – 40-Year-Old British Climber Makes History as First Person to Conquer Seven Summits, Both Poles, and 197 Countries

With persistent triumphs in climbing escapades, British adventurer Johnny Ward recently made headlines for his audacious coverage. Besides exploring all seven highest peaks from each continent, this brave-hearted 40-year-old also conquered both the north and south poles. As the first-ever person to manage these ventures, he etched records with indelible footmarks in all 197 countries. 

In an inaugural competition for the Ultimate Explorer’s Grand Slam, Johnny planned his climbing extravaganza throughout the globe. While the trip has its hurdles, the seasoned adventurer recalled setting foot in every nation of the world. Covering the peaks of Everest and Kilimanjaro, he proudly left his mark on the routes of the Denali, Aconcagua, Puncak Jaya, Elbrus, and Vinson summits. 

Global climbing accolades mark dedicated footprints 

Climbing the highest peak of the world, Johnny noted reaching the 29,030-foot Everest summit with a broader dream. Growing up in a single-parent household in Northern Ireland, his childhood portrayed tight finances and limited travel options. However, with a pivotal twist in his teen years, the adventurer recalled venturing to France with his family. 

While this trip ignited his passion for natural explanation, grit and resourcefulness marked Johnny’s climbing odyssey. After a five-week medical trial in Belfast, he gained the initial capital for a trip to Thailand while kick-starting his global adventures as an English tutor. Navigating routes from Korea to Australia by boat and bus, he even made his way from Cape Town to Cairo. 

With an initial goal of visiting 100 countries before he turned 30 years old, Johnny became the first Irish person to set foot in every nation. Remembering candid moments from his extensive tours, the globe trotter shared his troubles in visiting scary and expensive areas. Elaborating further, he claimed, “I was trying to average two or three weeks a country”, while continuing, “It took me 11 years, I guess.”

Audacious target in covering every widespread challenge 

Evidently, Ward’s climbing ventures saw him traversing over the continents for five long years. Living on a humble cost of $13 per day, he recalled avoiding planes in every possible situation. Immersing himself in the cultural tapestry of diverse locations, he reached the pinnacle of his explorations at the South Pole tour on January 12, 2024.

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Describing this climbing extravaganza as a wild feeling, Johnny mentioned its roots in his desire to see the world. While his passion soon evolved into a commitment for adventures, he recounted a swift transition in accepting the global challenge. Emphasizing the need for outdoor ventures, he noted overcoming temperatures as low as -36°C to reach his destination. 

Spending over a decade in reaching his climbing goals, Ward noted sharing beds and sleeping in bus stations to reduce his travel costs. While he would regularly hitchhike and use trains, the determined adventurer also recalled resting on top of public buses. Flying only from one continent to another, he recorded 10 months of ground-based coverage. 

Urging others to embrace the thrills of climbing, Johnny Ward’s passionate accolades defied all odds. Winning his Ultimate Explorer’s Grand Slam, the British thrill-seeker did not just attain personal heights, but also inspired many throughout the world. 

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