Press Release

Martin Frey Poised to Become the First Person to Climb the World’s Seven Summits and Sail the Seven Seas

Currently Sailing from Qingdao, China to Seattle, 56-Year-Old Adventurer Will Complete History-Making Trip in Mid-April 2016

QINGDAO, China (March 20, 2016) – Adventurer Martin Frey today embarked on the final stage of his unprecedented journey to become the first person to climb the Seven Summits and sail the Seven Seas. Currently sailing from Qingdao, China to Seattle, Wash., USA as a member of the Visit Seattle crew in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, Frey will complete this historic achievement at the conclusion of this approximately 30-day voyage across the Pacific Ocean, the world’s largest expanse of water.

Frey’s quest began in 2005 with the Seven Summits. By 2012, he had climbed the highest peak on every continent and set his sights on sailing the Seven Seas. Upon his arrival in Seattle, Frey’s 11-year journey will collectively span more than 35,000 nautical miles and more than 14.5 vertical miles.

“I am grateful to have finished this personal goal, and I hope to inspire others through this opportunity,” said Frey. “No one succeeds without the support of others, and I am deeply indebted to my family and friends that have supported my expeditions. I encourage others to never stop challenging themselves to progress toward their true potential.”

In addition to being an accomplished mountaineer and sailor, Frey, 56, is a dynamic public speaker and active angel investor. His groundbreaking feat follows a 30-year business career that included 13 years in Silicon Valley as a senior director for Cisco, where he ran a global support organization for Cisco’s top service provider customers. In 2004, Frey moved to Utah, where he served as managing director of the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development. His efforts were instrumental in helping Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr., lay the foundation for a highly successful economic development model that continues to be recognized nationally.

To learn more about Frey and keep tabs on his final sail, please see the following:

7 Summits

  • Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa) – Summited August 21, 2005
  • Denali (North America) – Summited June 25, 2009
  • Mount Aconcagua (South America) – Summited January 11, 2011
  • Mount Everest (Asia) – Summited May 20, 2011
  • Mount Elbrus (Europe) – Summited August 6, 2012
  • Carstensz Pyramid (Oceania) – Summited October 6, 2012
    • Since some consider Mount Kosciuszko, not Carstensz Pyramid, part of the Seven Summits, Frey also summited Mt. Kosciuszko on November 10, 2013
  • Mount Vinson (Antarctica) – Summited December 5, 2012

7 Seas

  • North Atlantic – Completed sail from Gibraltar to Saint Martin on March 26, 2013
  • South Pacific – Completed sail from Panama to Brisbane, Australia on November 3, 2013
  • Indian Ocean – Completed sail from Torres Strait to Cape Town, South Africa on October 23, 2014
  • South Atlantic – Completed sail from Cape Town, South Africa to Fortaleza, Brazil on December 12, 2014
  • Southern Ocean – Completed sail from Ushuaia, Argentina to Antarctic Mainland near Argentine Islands on January 21, 2015
  • Arctic Ocean – Completed sail from Dutch Harbor, Alaska to Nuuk, Greenland via the Northwest Passage on August 24, 2015
  • North Pacific – Set to complete sail from Qingdao, China to Seattle in mid-April 2016