A 27-year-old from Co Sligo has become the youngest Irish person to complete the Seven Summits challenge, which involves climbing the highest peak on every continent.
Ryan O’Sullivan began the challenge by climbing Kilimanjaro in Tanzania when he was 16 after being inspired by Irish mountaineer Ian McKeever when he visited his secondary school. Mr McKeever once held the world record for the fastest completion of the challenge.
It took Ryan 11 years of “pure commitment and passion” and last month he summited Vinson in Antarctica to complete the grueling challenge. Between Kilimanjaro and Vinson, Ryan climbed Mount Elbrus in Russia, Aconcagua in Argentina, Denali in Alaska, Kosciuszko in Australia and Mount Everest.
Before Ryan, the youngest Irish person to complete the challenge was Clare O’Leary at 34.
Watch our video to see Ryan reflect on his journey and achievement.
