How 20-year-old Marin Minamiya is about to complete the Explorers Grand Slam
Only North Pole trip remains for her to clinch adventurers’ coveted record of climbing the highest peaks on each of the seven continents, and reaching both poles
Marin Minamiya, 20, is about to become the youngest person to conquer the world’s tallest summits on all seven continents as well as journeying to opposite ends of the globe – but she will never forget her first hike in Hong Kong.
“I still remember when I looked down from the mountain, the scenery was so beautiful and special as Hong Kong’s mountains are right next to this concrete jungle,” Minamiya said, recalling her first hiking experience in Sai Kung in the New Territories when she was 13 and studying in the city.
After breaking the record for being the youngest Japanese to scale Mount Everest last May, Minamiya is now only one step away from completing the Explorers Grand Slam, an adventurer’s challenge to reach the North and South Pole and to climb the highest peaks on each of the seven continents.
She will be the 52nd person in the world to complete the challenge as well as the youngest climber – breaking the current record held by a 23 year old – when she reaches the North Pole in April as planned.
