Calgarian Climbs SEVEN Volcanic Summits
Paul Nicholson is a Calgarian geologist who has a passion for climbing amongst steaming volcanoes.
After 10 years of climbing the world’s highest peaks, Paul has become the first North American to complete the seven volcanic summits.
“I’ve always been a hiker. And as a geologist, I’ve always enjoyed the puzzle of rocks, always stopping to look at rocks, and trying to figure out how they were formed. But volcanoes are an especially unique puzzle. They are always moving. It’s geology in action,” expresses Nicholson.
Two of the summits he conquered include Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Elbrus in Russia, both being two of the world’s tallest mountain peaks reaching about 5,875 metres and 5,642 metres high.
The others are Orizaba located in Mexico, Mount Giluwe located in Papua New Guinea, Ojos Del Salado located in Chile, Mount Damavand located in Iran, and Paul's favorite, Mount Sidleylocated in the chilly Antarctica.
Nicholson says he has witnessed volcanoes steaming and flowing during many of his climbs.
“But I’ve never been in any danger. And that’s really what’s kept me going," he claims.
Paul Nicholson, 54, become the first Canadian, the first North American and the eighth person in the world to complete the seven summits.
The Seven Summit Club climbing records state that Paul is eighth in the world, before him are a few Russians, an Italian and Romanian Crina Popescu who was first ever to achieve the feat.