Here at Wandering Educators, we are always on the lookout for businesses  that both educate and act responsibly as global citizens. One such company
is 7summits.com, a company owned by Harry Kikstra, a climber/expedition
leader/ photographer/ filmmaker/ producer/ writer/ public speaker/ cycler
and many other things that have to do with sharing the beauty of the
outdoors.  We've interviewed Harry about his incredible bike journey, World
on a Bike. Harry is passionate about mountain climbing and arranges
extraordinary trips for his clients. He has climbed all 7 summits himself,
and has written many guidebooks about these summits. We were lucky enough to catch up with Harry and talk about 7Summits.com, climbing, giving back, and more. Here's what he had to say...

WE: Please tell us about your site, 7Summits.com...

HK: The 7 summits are the highest peaks on every continent: Denali
(McKinley) in North America, Aconcagua in South America, Elbrus in Europe,
Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mount Everest in Asia, Carstensz Pyramid in Oceania
and Mount Vinson in Antarctica.

7summits.com offers information about these mountains as well as
expeditions to climb them. Besides this, we keep all the statistics of
climbers who have climbed all '7'.

WE: What led you to start this guiding company?

HK: I have a masters degree in Business management and worked as a
consultant before, but I was more interested in mountains and the outdoors
than in business life. I was intrigued by the idea of climbing the 7 summits and no other company was specialized in them. After I saved up some
money and the dotcom crash happened, I took time off and expanded
7summits.com into a company.

WE: How are you different from other climbing companies?

HK: We are small scale and very affordable. From the beginning, we were
internet only. So no expensive full-colour brochures, no free 1-800 numbers
(somebody has to pay for them!), but only email communication and all info
is on the website. Even though we are cheaper, our most popular trip
(Kilimanjaro) does not have fixed dates, every trip is private and tailored
to your wishes, whether you are alone or with more than 20 people. (Last
June all 26 clients from a Kentucky school summited, 100% success!)

We don't employ guides, cooks, drivers and porters ourselves, but work with
local organisations as they already employ the most experienced local
guides (all speak English and are experts in Mountain rescue etc). When
booking with 7summits.com you pay the same or even less than when booking directly with our local partners.

So you have the benefit of dealing with an established western company,
while you pay local prices, the best of both worlds.

All of this has kept 7summits small and affordable. Though the quality of
both is very high, our expeditions are generally 50-75% cheaper than the
same expeditions booked by 'high end' operators. They usually send very
expensive US guides along, while they still use the same local guides as we
do.

As an added benefit, 7summits has been financially stable since the
beginning, so there is no risk of us going bankrupt after booking as we
have no debts or high fixed costs as payrolls, big offices etc. We do not
spend our client's money on advertisements, climbers find us online or by
word of mouth.

Furthermore, 7summits is founded and led by a climber. I have climbed the 7
summits myself, many more than once and have guided on most of them. I also have written and published 3 climbing guidebooks (Aconcagua, Denali & Mt Everest, see Amazon.com) and know what I am talking about. So when people are looking for a trip, I can advise them from my own experience and do not just sell them an expensive trip.

For example, I refuse to organise 6-day Kilimanjaro trips, even though
other companies use this as a standard-length, as I know that my clients
will not summit or will not be happy if they do, as the climb simply needs
more time.

WE: How do you (and your clients) give back to local communities, while climbing?

HK: As mentioned, we mostly employ local guides (for Everest we bring some
western guides as well, mostly Russians). This means that the largest part
of the expeditions costs ends up in Tanzania, Argentina, Nepal/Tibet etc.
Besides offering local employment, we also support local initiatives where
possible. In Nepal we have raised money for the eye hospital, that performs
cataract surgery for $18 per person. In Tanzania I am working on several
ecological projects, including solar energy and tree planting.

But maybe the largest contribution to the local communities is that we take
Western clients and show them that the rest of the world is beautiful and
the people wonderful. They will take that home with them and will encourage
others to visit the great countries we work in.

WE: What should people look for, when researching climbing and summiting?

HK: When looking for guide companies, compare services and prices. What do you get for your hard-earned money? What are you paying for? How much money is actually going to the local economy?

More importantly, compare clients feedback (see http://7summits.com/expeditions.php#clientcomments for much feedback from past customers). Know what you are looking for. Do you require a US guide, telephone communication, a nice paper brochure and are not comfortable with
an internet-only company? Then book with a more expensive outfitter (who
have some great guides and offer very good trips as well); else save your
money and check 7summits.

WE: Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?

HK: If you climb Kilimanjaro: don't rush it. Even though some people climb
it in 5 or 6 days, it is too quick. Pay a little extra and spend 8 or 9 days and summit while enjoying it.

Do not focus on peak-bagging alone. Spend some time in the countries, meet the people, go on safari in Tanzania, visit the Kremlin in Moscow, taste
wine in Argentina and visit the Stupas and monasteries in Tibet/Nepal. The
climbs are just a part of a great experience, the 7 summits are just a
framework for a life-changing trip around the world.

WE: Thanks so very much, Harry. 7Summits seems an ideal mix of global
responsibility and the helping to fulfill people's life dreams. Bravo!

For more information, please see:
http://7summits.com/

The images used in this interview are for sale as customizable posters, please see www.ExposedPlanet or his poster gallery at Imagekind

All photos courtesy and copyright of Harry Kikstra - 7Summits.com, ExposedPlanet.com. All rights reserved.