Traveler Profile: Adventurer Noel Hanna

While you’ve been busy eating too much chocolate, sitting on the couch channel surfing, returning gifts, driving relatives to the airport, questioning your mate’s gift giving sensibility, sweeping up pine needles and tossing out soggy leftovers, guess what Noel Hanna has been up to?  On December 22, 2009, he reached the summit of Mt. Vinson in Antarctica, successfully achieving his outrageously ambitious goal of climbing the highest peak on each of the seven continents.  The former Irish policeman set out four years ago to conquer seven ominous mountains on his journey called Elevation: 7 Summits to Sea Level.  But climbing up wasn’t enough for the 42-year-old adventure sports trainer as Hanna has proceeded to then sprint, kayak or bike at top speed to sea level after ascending each peak, the longest stretch being a 16-day running descent from the top of Everest to the Bay of Bengal.

In addition to Mt. Vinson and Everest, Hanna has climbed Denali, Elbrus, Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro and Carstensz Pyramid where he was chased by head hunters through the jungles of Papau New Guinea.

The people of Dromara, Northern Ireland have reason to celebrate as their hometown boy has set a new record in climbing all seven peaks and his journey has raised  funds for the local Ulster Cancer Foundation. Hanna should complete the four-year challenge any day now, once he reaches sea level in Antarctica, so he will ring in the New Year with a world record.

Speaking of setting and reaching goals….how are those New Year’s Resolutions coming along?

For inspiration, check out Noel Hanna’s blogs about his amazing adventure.