Valley realtor completes 7 Summits challenge hiking the tallest mountain in each continent

PHOENIX — An Arizona-based realtor named Clayton Wolfe accomplished his decades-long journey to complete the 7 Summits challenge last week.

Wolfe made the announcement on his Instagram after climbing to the summit of Mt. Elbrus in Russia on July 24, completing the expedition.

“Thank you to my friends, family, and most of all, my wife, for your unwavering support over the years. This dream wouldn’t have been possible without you and was much more meaningful to have you with me on my journey,” Wolfe said in the post.

What is the 7 Summits challenge?

The 7 Summits challenge is an endurance test for hikers that requires them to climb to the highest mountain peak in all seven continents.

Wolfe started his journey in 2019, climbing Mt. Aconcagua (South America) and Mt. McKinley (North America).

In 2020, he headed to Antarctica to hike Mt. Vinson.

He then took a two-year hiatus before hiking Mt. Everest (Asia) in 2022.

He finished his adventure hiking Mt. Puncak Jaya (Oceania) in 2024, Mt. Kilimanjaro (Africa) in 2025 and Mt. Elbrus (Europe) earlier this month.

“All of this unfolded against the backdrop of a global pandemic, shifting geopolitics, and war zones, making the off-mountain component just as challenging as the expeditions themselves,” he said in his post.

Despite hiking through dangerous terrain and battling freezing cold temperatures in Antarctica, getting in and out of Russia was one of his most difficult challenges, he said.

What’s next for Wolfe?

His next challenge is the Explorer’s Grand Slam, which requires hikers to reach the North and South Pole.

Only 70 people have ever completed the feat.

As a member of The Saguaros, a Valley-based social and philanthropic group, he is seeking a sponsor to help fund the cost of the expeditions to the pole and help the philanthropic organization at the same time.

The Saguaros raise money for various children’s charities by hosting events throughout the Valley and encouraging members to interact with the charities they help support.

Through his climbing, he has helped raise $15,000 for Saguaros Children’s Charities and donated 59,128 servings of food to the St. Mary’s Food Bank.