Everest is a monster. It’s a 29,032-foot slab of rock, ice, and ego that has claimed more than 300 lives. Most people spend decades training, saving thousands of dollars, and psyching themselves up just to stand at Base Camp. Then there’s Jordan Romero. In 2010, at an age when most of us were struggling with algebra or trying to find a seat in the middle school cafeteria, Jordan was standing on the summit of the world. He was 13.
Honestly, it sounds fake. How does a child survive the "Death Zone" where the air is so thin your body literally starts dying? Jordan didn't just survive; he basically rewrote the rules of what we think kids are capable of doing. But his feat sparked a firestorm of "should he have been there?" that eventually led to some massive rule changes. If you're looking for the youngest person to climb Mount Everest, you’re looking at a record that is essentially frozen in time.
Who holds the record for the youngest person to climb Mount Everest?
The title belongs to Jordan Romero. On May 22, 2010, the California native reached the peak at the age of 13 years, 10 months, and 10 days. He wasn't some random kid who got lucky. He’d been knocking off the "Seven Summits"—the highest peak on every continent—since he was nine.
Jordan’s climb wasn't a solo act, obviously. He was with his dad, Paul Romero, his stepmom, Karen Lundgren, and three Sherpas: Ang Pasang, Lama Dawa, and Lama Karma. They took the North Ridge route from the Tibetan side. Why? Because Nepal had already wised up and banned anyone under 16 from climbing. At the time, China didn't have those same restrictions, so the team just crossed the border to make it happen.
Then there's Malavath Poorna. She is the female record holder and her story is arguably even more wild.
Coming from a small village in Telangana, India, Poorna was only 13 years and 11 months old when she summitted in 2014. She wasn't a wealthy kid with world-class gear at her fingertips. She was the daughter of agricultural laborers who grew up with almost nothing. Her climb was a massive statement about what "tribal" children and young women in India could achieve if given a single chance. She also took the Tibetan route, just barely edging out the previous female record held by Ming Kipa, a Nepali girl who summitted at 15.
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The heavy hitters of youth mountaineering
- Jordan Romero (USA): 13 years, 10 months (All-time youngest).
- Malavath Poorna (India): 13 years, 11 months (Youngest female).
- Ming Kipa (Nepal): 15 years old (Former female record holder).
- Temba Tsheri (Nepal): 16 years old (Summitted in 2001, lost five fingers to frostbite).
Why you probably can't break this record anymore
You might be thinking, "Cool, I'll train my 12-year-old and get a Guinness World Record."
Good luck with that.
The mountaineering world basically looked at Jordan and Poorna and said, "Okay, let's stop before someone dies." The controversy was huge. Experts like David Hillebrandt, a medical advisor for the British Mountaineering Council, were pretty vocal about the fact that a 13-year-old’s body isn't physiologically or mentally ready for that kind of trauma. We’re talking about permanent brain damage from oxygen deprivation or stunted growth from extreme physical stress.
Shortly after Jordan’s climb, the China Tibet Mountaineering Association (CTMA) stepped in. They implemented an age limit: nobody under 18 and nobody over 60 (though they sometimes fudge the upper limit for "healthy" older climbers). Nepal keeps their limit at 16.
Essentially, the door is shut. Unless a country decides to waive these rules for a "special case"—which is rare because of the bad PR—Jordan and Poorna’s records are likely permanent.
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The 2026 perspective: Is it still happening?
Flash forward to today. In 2025 and 2026, we’ve seen a shift. Instead of "youngest to climb Everest," the trend has moved toward "youngest to complete the Seven Summits" or "youngest to do all 14 peaks over 8,000 meters."
For example, Emma Schwerin recently made headlines in May 2025. She became the youngest woman to complete the Seven Summits at age 17. Notice the age? She’s still a teenager, but she’s within the legal limits.
The focus has shifted from "how young can we go?" to "how fast can we go?" or "how many can we do?" Adriana Brownlee is another name you'll hear. She’s been crushing the 8,000-meter peaks at a record pace in her early 20s. The "teen sensation" era of Everest hasn't disappeared; it just grew up a little bit.
Why the "Death Zone" is different for kids
- Brain Development: The prefrontal cortex isn't fully formed at 13. Can a kid truly understand the risk of a looming storm versus the glory of a summit?
- Growth Plates: Extreme cold and physical exhaustion can wreak havoc on a growing skeleton.
- Blood Chemistry: Kids process oxygen differently than adults. At 26,000 feet, your blood thickens, and your heart works like a lawnmower engine trying to power a semi-truck.
What it actually takes (Beyond being young)
If you're looking at these stories and feeling inspired (or terrified), it’s worth noting that neither Jordan nor Poorna just "showed up."
Jordan spent years dragging tires behind him on hiking trails to build leg strength. He slept in a pressure-controlled tent that simulated high altitude while he was in his bedroom in California. Poorna went through months of rigorous training in the mountains of Ladakh and Darjeeling.
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It’s not just about being "fit." It’s about suffering. You have to be okay with being cold, hungry, and exhausted for 50 days straight. You have to be okay with seeing dead bodies on the trail—because they are there, and they don’t get moved.
Actionable insights for aspiring mountaineers
If you (or your teenager) have the bug to climb, don't aim for a world record that's legally blocked. Instead, look at the path the pros took.
- Start with the "easy" ones: Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is a "walk-up" peak. It’s nearly 20,000 feet but requires no technical gear. It’s the classic litmus test for high altitude.
- Learn technical skills: Mountaineering isn't just hiking. You need to know how to use crampons, ice axes, and how to self-arrest if you fall. Take a course in the Cascades or the Alps.
- Respect the age limits: Don't try to find a loophole. Use your teens to build a massive "aerobic base." By the time you’re 18 or 20, you’ll be a much safer, stronger climber.
- Focus on the experience: Jordan Romero himself has said in interviews that the record wasn't the point—the experience with his family was. If you're only doing it for the "Youngest Person" title, the mountain will find a way to humble you.
The era of 13-year-olds on Everest is likely over, and honestly, that’s probably for the best. But the legacy of Jordan Romero and Malavath Poorna still looms large. They proved that "impossible" is a moving target. If a 13-year-old can stand on top of the world, what’s your excuse for not hitting the local trailhead this weekend?
Get outside. Start small. The mountains aren't going anywhere.