Um Hong-gil

Who is Um Hong-gil?

Um Hong-Gil is a South Korean climber.

He has led many South Korean summer expeditions to Mt Aconcagua in Argentina, where he has successfully climbed South America's highest mountain many times.

In 2000, he finally climbed K2, which means his team completed the whole mission to go up 14 peaks higher than 8,000 meters in altitude within 12 years. He tried to climb Mount Everest in September, 2005 but failed. He tried again 3 years later and his attempt was successful. He also carried out a mission on Kangchenjunga.

Um Hong-Gil has reached the summit of all 14 eight-thousand meters peaks in the world. In fact he is the first person in climbing the 16 highest points on Earth.

He was awarded the Himalayan Crown when he completed the 14 highest peaks in 2001. He is the second South Korean and the eleventh climber in the world to hold this distinction.

He led successful expeditions up Everest in 2002 and 2003. He has climbed both the North and South Sides of the Everest. Um Hong-Gil has stood on top of Everest three times.

On December 13th 2007, he succeeded in reaching the summit of Vinson Massif, the highest peak of Antarctica.