Scaling the Seven Summits: A researcher’s ascent into mountaineering’s impact

In August 2024, when Dr Chrystie Watson reached the summit of Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko, the feat exceeded personal achievement.

It marked the starting point of an ambitious project that will see her scaling the highest peaks on the planet – not simply to conquer them, but to understand the impact of those who do.

Dr Watson, a lecturer in sustainability, leadership and management at Charles Darwin University (CDU), is leading a study that investigates the social and environmental consequences of mountaineering.

Conducted in partnership with Climbing the Seven Summits (CTSS), the project will take her beyond Mount Kosciuszko to Mount Everest in Asia, Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Denali in North America, Aconcagua in South America, Vinson Massif in Antarctica and – in a geopolitical substitution for Europe’s highest peak, Mount Elbrus in Russia – Mont Blanc in France.

“This project is about more than just climbing mountains,” Dr Watson said.

It’s in response to media coverage in recent years highlighting issues of environmental degradation and overtourism, which raise questions about the long-term sustainability of mountaineering on the world’s great peaks.

Viral images of Everest’s traffic jams and plastic waste on Kilimanjaro highlight the growing issue.

The 2016 UN Secretary-General’s Sustainable Mountain Development (SMD) report called for urgent action to ensure sustainability in mountain regions, warning that fragile ecosystems and the people who rely on them are under growing threat.

CDU’s research aims to be part of the response, identifying practical ways to sustain both the natural world and the livelihoods of those who depend on it.

Using a methodology as rigorous as the climbs themselves, the study will involve field observations on the mountains, interviews with climbers and guides, and surveys of local communities to understand their attitudes and behaviours around environmental, social and economic sustainability in the Seven Summits regions.

The first expedition to Mt Kosciuszko, though not the most technically demanding of the Seven Summits, provided early insights into the level of understanding mountaineers and guides have regarding environmental protection and sustainable mountaineering practices.

These initial findings are already informing discussions on industry best practices and the need for stronger education and advocacy in mountaineering operations.

The goal is not just to document but to propose solutions – ways to balance the booming industry with preserving these extraordinary environments.

Sustainability, as Dr Watson sees it, isn’t just about rules, it’s about culture.

“Sustainability in these regions isn’t just about conservation – it’s about ensuring long-term economic and social viability,” she said.

CTSS, as the main industry partner on this project, is providing support through logistical, safety, planning, and industry insight.

CTSS co-owner Caroline Pemberton said the project would support the company’s ongoing efforts to advance its own sustainability practices and agenda, and help to shape a future where the Seven Summits continued to be an achievable goal for mountaineers.

“The mountains are more than just landscapes – they are powerful, transformative places that inspire and challenge us,” Ms Pemberton said.

She believes that, as professional guides, they hold a responsibility to lead by example.

“As stewards of these wild spaces, it is our responsibility to protect our playgrounds so that we can continue to experience their beauty and wonder,” she said.

With the next planned research expedition to Mont Blanc in July, Dr Watson’s work is only beginning.

Each climb, each summit, is another data point in a larger picture, one that she hopes will lead to lasting change.

“This isn’t just about studying mountaineering,” Dr Watson said. “It’s about shaping its future. If we can better understand the impacts, we can develop real solutions.

”The goal isn’t just to protect these incredible landscapes – it’s to ensure that people can continue to experience them in a way that is responsible and sustainable.”