Greek Women Conquer Highest Summit of Oceania

Two Greek women managed to climb the highest summit of Oceania as part of the Seven Summits Challenge.

Vanessa Archontidou and Christina Flambouri managed to climb Oceania’s highest mountain, the 4,888-meter-high Cartensz Pyramid, in Papua, Indonesia.

The two women participate in the Seven Summits Challenge under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization.

Under difficult weather conditions with very low visibility and intense rainfall, the two Greek women managed to reach the fifth top of their goal of the Seven Summit Challenge, one of the most difficult mountain climbing challenges in the world.

Archontidou and Flambouri have already conquered the four highest peaks in North America, Europe, South America and Africa.

Before the mission to Indonesia, Archontidou, a mother of two who works as a marketing director in a multinational company, told Greek Reporter: “We try to practice four times a week; either indoors or outdoors.

“We try once a week to go to Parnitha or Hymettus [mountains], close to Attica we were live. So, before going to the office we go to Parnitha where there is a 600-meter ascent called the Little Stairs.”

Archontidou and Flambouri combine mountain climbing practice and gym work necessary to carry 35 kilograms of backpack and sleigh.

Both say teamwork is of the essence, in what is often considered a sport of personal records and individual achievement.

“For us, it’s very important to be honest because we know that mountaineering is a sport that some people see as being very competitive,” Archontidou said. “How important the team mentality is for us is visible in out last expedition [to Alaska].”

“We went to Denali, and a few meters under the peak, we decided to hold hands and step on the peak together.”