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| title | chunk | source | category | tags | date_saved | instance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer's Grand Slam | 1/1 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explorer's_Grand_Slam | reference | science, encyclopedia | 2026-05-05T09:13:08.370006+00:00 | kb-cron |
The Explorer's Grand Slam, also known as the Adventurer's Grand Slam, is an adventurer goal to reach the North Pole and South Pole, as well as climb the Seven Summits: Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Vinson, and Puncak Jaya or Kosciuszko. The reason for a choice of Puncak Jaya or Kosciuszko was to give Explorer's Grand Slam participants a choice in following the Bass List (Kosciuszko) or the Messner List (Puncak Jaya) when choosing their seventh summit. For more information see paragraph entitled Controversy in Eight Summits. Heo Young-Ho, a South Korean Alpinist, was the first person to complete the Explorer's Grand Slam, after he reached the South Pole from Berkner Island in January 1997. British Explorer, David Hempleman-Adams, unaware of Heo Young-Ho's achievements, claimed he was the first person, but this has proven to be incorrect. The top three to complete the Explorer's Grand Slam are: first, Heo Young-Ho, South Korean Alpinist, finishing with the South Pole in January 1997, second, Russian Survivalist Fyodor Konyukhov finishing with Denali in May 1997, and third, David Hempleman-Adams finishing with the geographic North Pole in 1998.
== History == The original concept involved the polar trips starting from accepted coastal points, involving long sledging journeys. Over time the significantly shorter, easier, and less serious "Last Degree" polar trips – from 89 degrees to the pole (at 90 degrees) – have been claimed as the Explorer's Grand Slam (Last Degree). The climbing community, the American Alpine Club, The Explorers Club, climbing companies such as International Mountain Guides, define the Explorer's Grand Slam as having accomplished the Seven Summits plus (at a minimum – the last degree of) the North and South Poles. There is some consensus that a True Explorer's Grand Slam means one will also have summited all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres (26,247 ft) (14 + 7 + 2). Likewise, there is some consensus that a True Adventurer's Grand Slam is achieved by also visiting the magnetic north and south poles. As of 2022, all terminology and guidelines regarding polar data records are being conducted under the Polar Expeditions Classification Scheme (PECS). In April 2005, Park Young-seok became the first person to complete a True Explorer's Grand Slam (South Korea). In December, 2005, Stuart Smith of Waco, Texas, became the first American to complete an Explorer's Grand Slam. In 2011, former Wales rugby union international Richard Parks became the first person to complete the (Last Degree) Grand Slam within a single calendar year, doing so within seven months. On April 16, 2013, Vanessa O'Brien became the first woman to complete the (Last Degree) Grand Slam under a single calendar year, doing so in eleven months. On April 22, 2013, Cheryl Bart became the first Australian woman and the 31st person worldwide to complete the Explorer's Grand Slam. In 2014, Jing Wang became the fastest woman to complete the (Last Degree) Grand Slam in 142 days. In 2014, Ryan Waters became the second American to complete the True Adventurer's Grand Slam by skiing full-length, unsupported and unassisted North and South Pole expeditions and climbing the seven summits. On May 27, 2016, Colin O'Brady became the fastest person to complete the Explorer's Grand Slam (Last Degree), doing so in 139 days. He is the world speed record holder for completing the Explorer's Grand Slam (Last Degree). On April 12, 2017, Marin Minamiya became the youngest person to complete the Explorers' Grand Slam (Last Degree) at 20 years old.
== People who completed the quest ==
=== Full Grand Slam (both poles from an outer coastline/shore) === In chronological order:
=== Grand Slam (one pole from an inner coastline/shore and one pole from an outer coastline/shore or last degree) === In chronological order:
=== Last Degree Grand Slam (both poles from 89 degrees) === In chronological order:
== See also == Grand Slam (golf) Grand Slam (tennis) Ocean Explorers Grand Slam
== References ==
== External links == Explorers Grand Slam official website Adaptive Grand Slam official website Origins of the Explorers Grand Slam With Vanessa O'Brien