The first man on (all seven) tops of the world
It’s not just a figure of speech – there really were “Last Chance Saloons”.
It was a popular name of a type of bar in the United States that began to appear in the 19th Century as a result of border economics.
Saloons situated near areas where alcohol was not easily obtainable frequently took the name as a literal indication to customers that this was their final opportunity to sink a few jars before entering an area where obtaining, selling or drinking alcoholic drinks was prohibited.
The establishments were often also signposted as “First Chance Saloons” so the owners could attract thirsty travellers coming in the opposite direction too! HAS any climber ever conquered the highest peak on all five continents?
Richard Bass, an American businessman, rancher and mountaineer, was the first to achieve the feat in 1985.
Even more impressively, he actually conquered the highest peak on seven continents – Denali, North America (6194m); Aconcagua, South America (6961m); Mount Elbrus, Europe (5642m); Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa (5895m); Vinson Massif, Antarctica (4892m); Mount Kosciuszko, Australia (2228m); and Mount Everest, Asia (8848m).
In just one year, 1983, he climbed six of the peaks – Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Vinson and Kosciuszko.
He did these climbs with Frank Wells, a former president of Walt Disney, and several mountain guides.
From 1983 Bass and Wells made various guided attempts to climb Mount Everest, the highest and most difficult peak in the list.
Bass eventually reached the summit of Everest in a party without Wells, guided by the American professional mountaineer, David Breashears, on April 30, 1985.
At the time, Bass was the oldest man to summit Everest, at the age of 54.
He then co-authored a book, Seven Summits, detailing his exploits, which was described – by no less than Clint Eastwood – as: “A hell of an adventure. A book for everyone who’s ever dreamed of accomplishing great feats.”