Found some nice photos of Rock Climbing, so like to share with my readers.

View all here:  http://sportandmotor.com/sports/human-sports/rock-climbing/rock-climbing-or-mountaineering-it-still-rocks-21-photos

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Reaching the top of the highest mountains on all seven continents is an impressive achievement at any age, but 74-year-old Takao Arayama of Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, is believed to be the oldest person in the world to have done it.

Arayama conquered the seven peaks over a period of 11 years, beginning at the age of 63 and finishing at 74. He reached the top of the final mountain in February, climbing to the summit of Tanzania’s Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest on the African continent at 5,895 meters.

Only about 20 Japanese have reached the summits of all seven mountains, an official of an organization of alpinists said, adding that Arayama “is probably the oldest person in the world to achieve this.”

A former company employee, Arayama joined an alpine club and began serious mountain climbing in the latter half of his 40s. He traveled to different mountains on every vacation and even climbed during winter.

Arayama climbed his first overseas mountain at age 55, when he received an extended vacation from his company in recognition of his many years of service.

“It was on a different scale from mountains in Japan. I became eager to challenge much bigger, higher peaks,” Arayama said.

After retiring, he conquered Mt. McKinley at age 63 in June 1999. Since then, he has joined numerous guided expeditions of nonprofessional alpinists on world-class peaks.

Arayama’s physical training included running uneven roads and climbing mountains carrying a 40-kilogram backpack.

In May 2006, Arayama became the oldest person to reach the summit of Mt. Everest, doing so at the age of 70 years and seven months. The previous record was held by professional skier Yuichiro Miura.

In 2008, Arayama attempted to climb to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro, but gave up because of political turmoil in surrounding countries.

He conquered the sixth peak in March 2009, climbing to the summit of Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia’s New Guinea island. This ascent also involved rock climbing.

Arayama said Mt. Kilimanjaro “was never a difficult mountain for me to climb; I just didn’t have a chance to conquer it.” He said he felt a special joy when he conquered the summit on his second try.

In 2008, Guinness World Records certified Tomiyasu Ishikawa, now 73, in Kariya, Aichi Prefecture, as the oldest person to conquer all seven peaks.

The president of the Aichi Mountaineering Association, Ishikawa did so from the ages of 65 through 71.

Adventures Guides Co., a Tokyo-based firm that arranges ascents on the seven peaks by nonprofessional alpinists, said that though it is difficult to confirm absolutely, there is no doubt Arayama is the world’s oldest person to reach the top of all seven peaks.

“I wasn’t thinking very much about achieving this at my age, but I’m happy if my actions can inspire many people,” Arayama said. “I want to continue enjoying mountain climbing.”

The world’s seven highest peaks are Mt. Everest in Asia; Mt. Elbrus in Europe; Mt. McKinley in North America; Cerro Aconcagua in South America; Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa; Mt. Kosciuszko in Australia or Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia; and Vinson Massif in Antarctica.

source: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20100501TDY03T03.htm

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