On May 27, 2016 Colin completed the Explorers Grand Slam in a world record shattering 139 days. He summited the highest mountain on each continent and skied the last degree to the North and South Poles in uninterrupted succession.
The Explorers Grand Slam and Seven Summits world records.
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Global 2016
The History
The time to beat was 06 Months, 11 Days, 07 Hours and 53 Minutes (192 days). Richard Parks, a British extreme endurance athlete, set the previous benchmark in 2011 when he completed his 737 Challenge endeavoring to accomplish the same feat. Colin managed to shave nearly two months off Parks’ record in 2016.
The Stakes
To set the world records, Colin faced dire challenges such as high altitudes, limited oxygen, extreme winds, and bitter cold temperatures that threatened frostbite in the Arctic and polar regions. This epic endeavor was a true test of physical and mental resilience and one that redefined the limits of human endurance.
The Journey
South Pole – complete January 10, 2016
Mt. Vinson (Antarctica) – summit January 17, 2016
Aconcagua (South America) – summit January 31, 2016
Mt. Kilimanjaro (Africa) – summit February 9, 2016
Kosciuszko (Australia) – summit February 17, 2016*
Carstensz Pyramid (Oceania) – summit March 4, 2016
Mt. Elbrus (Europe) – summit March 10, 2016
North Pole – complete April 19, 2016
Mt. Everest (Asia) – summit May 19, 2016
Denali (North America) – summit May 27, 2016 *Colin climbed both Kosciuszko and Carstensz Pyramid to cover both recognized Seven Summits lists.
Beyond the Mountains
Colin attempted this journey for a larger purpose. He interacted with kids on social media from the mountains to show kids the limitless possibilities beyond their screens. Using technology for good, Colin became the first person to Snapchat from the summit of Mt. Everest, exciting and inspiring kids in their classrooms.
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SEVEN PEAKS
The Explorers Grand Slam mountaineering challenge required Colin to climb the 'Seven Summits' - the tallest mountain on each of the seven continents.
TWO POLES
Beyond the mountains, Colin needed to complete Last Degree expeditions to the North and South Poles.
TWO WORLD RECORDS
Colin conquered The Explorers Grand Slam in 139 days, shaving nearly two months off the previous record. He also broke the speed record for the Seven Summits in 132 days.
Expedition Facts
8
mountains climbed
2
poles reached
139
days to completion
142,000
feet of elevation gain
10
expeditions in total
Seven Summits. Two Poles. A global project to inspire active, healthy kids and communities.
Partners
“In the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain. ”
— Jack Kerouac
LIVE TRACKING
The expedition was tracked with GPS for each leg of the 139 day journey and was certified by Guinness World Records.
FEATURED PRESS
FEATURED PRESS
Go Beyond
My keynotes are not just about the physical endurance required to cross Antartica alone or climb Mt. Everest...
...but instead are about the mental fortitude required to face any challenges, personal or professional. I share strategies for surpassing perceived limitations, achieving peak performance, and unlocking your potential. It’s about showing that with the right mindset, there are no limits to what we can achieve.
