Dong-A University Mountaineering Club Successfully Summits Antarctica, Completes Seven Continents Highest Peaks Project

Vinson Massif·Aconcagua OB, Aconcagua YB 3 Teams

Third Domestic Single Team to Complete 7 Continents Ascent Major Achievement

Alumni of the Dong-A University (President Lee Hae-woo) Mountaineering Club successfully climbed Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica, marking the completion of the university's project to summit the highest peaks on all seven continents.

The Dong-A University Mountaineering Club organized three expedition teams: Vinson Massif OB (Leader Seong Gi-jin, Captain Jo Byeok-rae), Aconcagua OB (Captain Hwang Tae-woong, Im Dong-han, Lee Si-yeop, Seong Gi-jin, Jo Byeok-rae), and Aconcagua YB (Captain Jo Hyun-se, Lee Ho-seon, Lee Su-ji, Yeo Jeong-yoon). They set out to summit Vinson (4,892m), the highest peak in Antarctica, and to re-climb Aconcagua (6,964m), the highest peak in South America, and recently announced on the 24th that all members safely completed their schedules.

Jo Byeok-rae (Industrial Engineering, Class of '88), an alumnus of the Vinson Massif OB team, reached the summit of Vinson Massif (4,892m) in Antarctica on December 12 last year local time.

According to Dong-A University, the alumni mountaineering club achieved the significant feat of completing the 'Seven Summits' as the third single team in Korea.

Afterward, Jo joined the Aconcagua OB team and, together with alumnus Im Dong-han (Resource Engineering, Class of '93'), reached the summit of Aconcagua on the 2nd (local time).

Following that, the ‘Aconcagua YB’ team, composed of current students Jo Hyun-se (Mechanical Engineering, Class of 2018) and Lee Ho-seon (Mechanical Engineering, Class of 2019), successfully climbed Aconcagua on the 11th.

Alumnus Jo Byeok-rae of Dong-A University Mountaineering Club OB who reached the summit of Vinson Massif (4,892m), the highest peak in Antarctica.

The Dong-A University Mountaineering Club Aconcagua OB team that reached the summit of Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America. (From left) Jo Byeok-rae, Im Dong-han.

At the summit of Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America, the Dong-A University Mountaineering Club 'Aconcagua YB' team. Students Hyunse Cho (center) and Hoseon Lee (far right). (Far left is Moon Gibin, a student from Yeungnam University).

The Donga University Mountaineering Club expedition team is taking a commemorative photo at the Aconcagua Base Camp Plaza de Mulas (Argentina).

Hwang Tae-woong (Mechanical Engineering, Class of '92), captain of the Aconcagua OB team, said, “After retreating due to strong winds during the first summit attempt, two members successfully reached the summit on the second attempt, and all members safely completed the climb and descent.” He added, “The many concerns and support sent to the team will be long remembered in all our hearts.”

Jo Byeok-rae, who became the 11th Korean to complete the Seven Summits following mountaineers Heo Young-ho, Park Young-seok, Oh Eun-sun, Kim Young-mi, and Cha Jin-cheol, said, “This achievement was accomplished not as an individual but as a team,” and “I am honored that our mountaineering club has completed such a great feat.”

The YB team, unusually for current students, formed their own expedition team and succeeded in climbing Aconcagua. Expedition leader Jo Hyun-se said, “The process of completing the expedition without accidents, experiencing pain, sadness, joy, and various emotions, helped us grow further,” and “This expedition holds the meaning of a new beginning.”

Founded in 1961 and carrying on a tradition of over 60 years, the Dong-A University Mountaineering Club has made a name for itself in the global mountaineering community through strong unity and organizational skills.

The Dong-A University Mountaineering Club has succeeded in summiting the highest peaks of the seven continents, including Europe’s highest peak Elbrus (5,642m) in August 2008, Asia’s highest peak Everest (8,848m) in May 2010, Africa’s highest peak Kilimanjaro (5,895m) in 2012, South America’s highest peak Aconcagua (6,964m) in January 2013, Oceania’s highest peak Carstensz Pyramid (4,884m) in 2015, North America’s highest peak Denali (6,194m) in 2016, and finally Antarctica’s Vinson (4,892m).

Seong Gi-jin (Mechanical Engineering, Class of '82, President of Dong-A University AMP Alumni Association), who served as the expedition leader for this trip, said, “We had originally completed the six-continent highest peaks and even published a report, but as time passed, we felt a sense of regret, so we pushed forward with this Antarctic expedition.” He added, “There were no easy mountains regardless of height, and we are deeply grateful for the support from the university and the alumni association.”

President Seong continued, “When you stand on one summit, you see another summit. We are preparing to publish a report on the Seven Summits expedition,” and said, “Rather than big plans, we will focus on solidifying our foundation through activities such as climbing Yosemite and 6,000-meter peaks in the Himalayas, promoting exchanges between current students and the Student Mountaineering Federation, volunteering for guided climbs for people with disabilities, and emphasizing safe climbing education.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.