A French climber has broken a record by climbing all 14 peaks over 8,000 meters in height.

Mountaineer Alasdair MacKenzie from France just became the youngest European to summit all fourteen of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks at the age of 20.

Only fourteen mountains in the world rise above 8,000 meters (26,247 feet). All 14, known as the “Eight Thousanders,” live in the Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges of Asia and reach thin and dangerous strata known as the “Death Zone.”

McKenzie summited his first of fourteen peaks at the age of 17 on Lhotse, the fourth highest mountain in the world. Less than three years later, on October 9, 2024, Alasdair summited his final 8,000m Shishapangma (26,335ft) summit and made history. (Related article on 14 eight-thousanders)

Jocelyn Chavy met with the young climber and briefly described his achievement. Article for AlpineMag. McKenzie described the feeling of climbing his last 8000-meter peak. “

Incredible moment! When I reached the top, it was a relief to be on top of Shishapangma in the center of Tibet. This was the most difficult thing for me, because I waited a whole year for the opportunity to return to Tibet. The summit truly was an indescribable moment. The first thing that comes to mind is the sacrifices that were made for this project. It was indescribable to be up there with Chiring, my Sherpa, and to be able to enjoy it with him. For him, Shishapangma became the 13th eight-thousander, for me – the 14th. We just loved this moment. We stayed at the top for more than 20 minutes because it was so good.”

Funding international climbing expeditions is a challenge for most climbers, especially a young climber like McKenzie. From the very beginning of his quest to find the highest mountains in the world, he found stable financial support from the Princess Charlene Foundation of Monaco.

“They liked the project precisely because of my youth and the fact that I share the same values ​​of inspiring young people to pursue their dreams, be it in sports or education. In the end, my age was an advantage.”

In 2023, Mackenzie climbed five of the 8,000-meter peaks—an amazing feat for any climber.

“Trying together five summits in eleven days was really difficult. Physically you are completely exhausted, but then, in the mountains, whether in the Alps or here, the mind takes over. That’s what it’s all about. You must have a good mind. And then you need to be able to save energy, sleep when you can sleep, and eat a lot. Because not many climbers talk about it. But up there, you need to eat calories and calories. You always need to eat, always drink, try to recover as much as possible, try to sleep.”

Mackenzie will now have time to sleep. He intends to spend some time relaxing on the beach before focusing on his education and going to graduate school. However, Mackenzie’s next big adventure is coming soon, as the mountains always call. “

All I can say is that my next big project will be much bigger, more ambitious and will be a first. In the mountains, of course.

Climbing an eight-thousander is the highest achievement in mountaineering. Legendary Italian mountaineer Reinhold Messner became the first person to conquer all of these prestigious mountains in 1986. His historic feat, pursued ever since by ambitious climbers such as Alasdair MacKenzie, set the high water mark of mountaineering success.