Geordie Stewart

Foothills of the Himalayas

Geordie Stewart (born May 1989 in London) is a British author and mountaineer. On 26 May 2011, aged 22, he became the youngest Briton to climb the Seven Summits - the highest mountain on each of the seven continents.[1]

Seven Summits

Aged 18, despite having almost no climbing experience, he became one of the youngest Britons ever to summit Aconcagua, the highest mountain in South America. He then attempted a solo climb of Mount Kilimanjaro in May 2008 and reached the summit on his 19th birthday. His last expedition before starting at the University of St Andrews, was to Russia, where he reached the highest point in Europe, by summiting Mount Elbrus.

In July 2009, he climbed the highest mountain in North America, Denali, before attempting Mount Everest the following year. Geordie got to within 150 m of the summit before turning around. He was heavily delayed on the ascent after helping a Sherpa and two teammates who were all suffering from severe altitude sickness.[2]

Geordie's self-shot in his tent after his unsuccessful Everest summit attempt in 2010

After returning to the UK, he decided to make another attempt on Everest in 2011 and make it the final mountain of the challenge. Over Christmas 2010, he climbed Vinson Massif in Antarctica, before completing the 6th mountain in his Seven Summits attempt, Carstensz Pyramid, Indonesia in March - leaving just Everest. Geordie returned to Everest in spring 2011 and became the youngest Briton to climb the Seven Summits.

Geordie was sponsored by the University of St Andrews and Knight Frank Estate Agents. He climbed in aid of Help for Heroes and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Media

During the finale of his Seven Summits attempt, Geordie filmed a one-off documentary, The Ultimate Climb, presented by James Cracknell, for Discovery Channel, which aired on 17 May 2012.

Geordie became an ambassador for the British luxury goods brand Alfred Dunhill during their Spring/Summer 2013 Voice campaign. Geordie features alongside musician Brian Eno and photographer Don McCullin. The 'Voice' campaign was launched by Alfred Dunhill to celebrate British men who have achieved extraordinary things in their life.

In Search of Sisu

In 2018, Geordie wrote his first book In Search of Sisu: A Path to Contentment via the Highest Point on Every Continent. The book offers a raw, emotive and passionate insight into the complexity of teenage vulnerabilities. The real aim in those seven mountains was not climbing glory or breaking records but rather a path to contentment. In Search of Sisu reveals Geordie’s transition from a self-doubting teenager battling mental health issues to a young man who had the belief to realise his dreams.

Sisu is a concept at the core of Finnish culture. It has a unique meaning, roughly translated into English as perseverance, resilience, overcoming adversity and inner courage.

References

  1. ↑ "Everest climber Geordie Stewart in seven peaks record". BBC News. 14 June 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
  2. ↑ Pickup, Oliver (27 May 2011). "On top of the world: St Andrews student becomes youngest Scot to climb seven highest peaks". London: Daily Mail. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
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