User:Morenooso/Jason Romero workspace

Jordan Romero (born July 12, 1996 ) is an U.S. mountain climber who, on May 22, 2010, became the youngest person to climb Mount Everest. He was 13 when he reached the summit. Romero was accompanied by his father Paul Romero, his father's girlfriend Karen Lundgren, and three Sherpas called Ang, Dawa and Kharma. He was inspired to climb the tallest mountains of each continent when he saw a painting in the hallway of his school that had the seven continents' highest mountains. The previous record for youngest to climb Everest was held by Temba Tsheri of Nepal who was 16 years and 14 days old when he reached the summit in 2001.



Concerns about the climb
Before he climbed Mount Everest, there was some criticism over whether a teenager should be allowed to attempt this. David Hillebrandt, medical adviser to the British Mountaineering Council, questioned whether Romero was mentally mature enough and then went on to say, "It is totally against the spirit of true mountaineering. This sounds like it's about mass marketing, money and it's verging on child abuse. Nowadays, people are effectively being winched up [the mountains], using ropes that sherpas have put in for them. It will all be done for him [Romero]. He's a token passenger." Since Nepal doesn't issue climbing licenses to individuals below 16 years of age, Romero had to climb from the Tibet side.

Historic climb
Prior to climbing Everest, Romero had conquered six notable peaks in his desire to scale the tallest peaks on the seven continents. He had never ascend a peak higher 26,240 feet and was aware of the dangers. His group chose a northern route out of Tibet and carried a GPS tracking device and satellite phone. Along the way to the top, Romero conducted an interview from an intermediate base camp 18,700 feet above sea level. Upon reaching Mount Everest's summit, a Skype interview was accomplished. Romero also called his mother, who had been recieving GPS data, via the satellite phone upon finishing the ascent.

Previous climbs
He has previously climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (at the age of 10), Mount Elbrus in Russia, Aconcagua in Argentina, Mount McKinley in Alaska, and the Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia.

Personal life
Romero currently lives in Big Bear, California. He was born to Paul Romero and Leigh Anne Drake.