Aconcagua (South America): $850 to $5,000

Aconcagua is another climb that many people tend to underestimate. True, it is mainly a very long, hard trudge to the summit. But at 22,840 feet, a hasty ascent will spell disaster in the form of acute altitude sickness. Plan to spend three weeks or more on this expedition. Be prepared for extreme and intense cold as well as long delays due to bad weather. Proper endurance and strength training prior to the climb, as well as teamwork and patience once you’re on the mountain are critical factors in your summit attempt (See What It Costs To Climb Aconcagua ).

Gear And Clothing: $8,000 to $13,000

All the climbs require specialized gear. There is a great deal of overlap, particularly between Mt. Everest, Mt. Vinson, and Denali, which all call for extreme high altitude expedition gear that will protect you in temperatures down to -40°F to -70°F. Aconcagua requires extreme expedition gear as well, although temperatures are not so severe. Mt. Elbrus is icy and cold at the top, but you are usually sleeping in huts, so your gear list is somewhat modified. Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Carstensz Pyramid have milder climates, although Mt. Kilimanjaro, in particular, can be very cold at the summit and still requires crampon and ice axe skills. If you go with a guide company, they will send you a detailed gear list (See What It Costs To Buy Expedition Clothing And Gear ).

Mountaineering Training Course: $5,000 to $8,000

If you are an experienced high altitude mountaineer, you obviously don’t need a training course. However, if many months, or even years, go by between big mountain ascents, an alpine mountaineering course is a good idea to get you back in the game, with opportunities to familiarize yourself with the latest tools and techniques, and remind your body what it’s like to climb at altitude.

Passports And Visas: $100+

Except for climbing Denali, you will need a current passport for all destinations, plus specific visas and fees.

Airfare: $9,925 to $22,970 (total)

These prices are approximate and assume that you leave from New York City and buy separate round trip tickets to each of the seven summit destinations.

• Mt. Kilimanjaro: NYC to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania - $1,900 to $2,200
• Mt. Vinson: NYC to Punta Arenas, Chile - $1,300 to $2,350
• Mt. Everest: NYC to Kathmandu, Nepal - $2,580 to $8,000
• Mt. Elbrus: NYC to Moscow, Russia - $1,250 to $3,150
• Denali: lower 48 to Anchorage, AK - $400 to $550
• Carstensz Pyramid: NYC to Indonesia - $1,260 to $5,000
• Aconcagua: NYC to Mendoza, Argentina - $1,000 to $1,720

Finally, for those who truly want to challenge themselves, the “Second Seven Summits,” the list of the second highest peaks on each continent, include ascents that are much more demanding and dangerous than the original Seven, and are usually climbed without guides. K2, for instance, the second highest peak in Asia, is known as the Savage Mountain due to its difficulty, remoteness, and high fatality rate.