Ana Maria Giraldo Gomez and Ana Isabel Bustamante have joined the select group of Colombian women who have completed the Seven Summits challenge, one of the most demanding feats in international mountaineering. With their successful ascent of Mount Vinson in Antarctica on Dec. 1, 2025, they add their names to the milestone set earlier this year by Margarita Moreno, who became the first Colombian woman to finish this prestigious circuit in July. Colombia now has three women on the global list of climbers who have summited the highest mountain on each continent.
The journey of the Colombian women to complete the Seven Summits challenge
The Seven Summits challenge consists of reaching the highest mountain on every continent, a demanding endeavor that combines extreme altitudes, unpredictable weather conditions, and months — sometimes years — of physical and mental preparation.
These are the mountains that make up the challenge and the approximate demands of each:
Everest (Asia, 8,848 m / 29,029 ft): the highest peak on the planet. A full expedition typically takes 50 to 65 days, including acclimatization stages, high-altitude camps, and waiting for a suitable weather window.
Aconcagua (South America, 6,962 m / 22,837 ft): the tallest mountain outside the Himalayas. The average ascent takes 12 to 20 days, depending on the chosen route.
Denali (North America, 6,194 m / 20,322 ft): known for fierce winds and temperatures that can reach –40 °C (–40 °F). Expeditions usually last 17 to 21 days.
Kilimanjaro (Africa, 5,894 m / 19,341 ft): considered the most “accessible” of the Seven Summits, though still physically demanding. Climbs take five to nine days, according to the itinerary.
Elbrus (Europe, 5,642 m / 18,510 ft): located in the Caucasus region. The ascent generally requires seven to 10 days.
Carstensz Pyramid (Oceania, 4,884 m / 16,024 ft): a challenging expedition not only due to altitude but because of dense jungle access and technical rock routes. Expeditions often last seven to 12 days, plus additional travel days to reach the area.
Mount Vinson (Antarctica, 4,892 m / 16,050 ft): extremely remote and cold, with expeditions lasting 12 to 20 days, depending largely on weather — one of the most crucial factors on the continent.
For Giraldo, a Colombian mountaineer with more than two decades of experience, this achievement marks the end of a process that took longer than initially planned, but one she never abandoned. She had previously reached key summits such as Everest, Aconcagua, Elbrus, Denali, Kilimanjaro, and Carstensz. Bustamante joined her for this final polar journey, and together they accomplished an unprecedented milestone for Colombia.
Both climbers are the creators of “Mas alla de la Cumbre” (“Beyond the Summit”), an initiative promoting leadership, resilience, and personal transformation through experiences in extreme environments.
A historic achievement for Colombia
With their ascent of Mount Vinson, Giraldo and Bustamante have officially secured their place in the history of Colombian mountaineering. Their accomplishment gains even greater relevance as it comes just months after Margarita Moreno became the first Colombian woman to complete the Seven Summits — thus paving the way for others to follow.
The participation of these three women in this elite global circuit highlights Colombia’s growing presence in high-altitude mountaineering and demonstrates that, despite technical, logistical, and financial challenges, it is possible to reach highly demanding goals.
The mountaineers emphasize that each ascent is a reminder that “the summit is not the end, but the beginning of a new purpose.” Their story is already inspiring new generations of Colombian women to look toward the mountains with determination, preparation, and courage.