Just last month, a 13 year old from California climbed Everest to establish a new record, and there’s been a bit of discussion as to whether it’s “right” (whatever that means, morality being relative and all that) for someone that young to subject themselves to the physical and mental stress of 8848m. My initial reaction was fairly negative – the youngest person I’ve guided to just 4810m was 14 years old, and she was had to give it 100% effort to reach the summit. But by all accounts Jordan Romero has the physique of an adult, and to prove it he’s got up Everest and (more importantly) got back down again. Hopefully he’s got a lot out of the experience in all round way: travel, hard work, teamwork (especially the Sherpas on the team) and the myriad of other facets that go with expedition climbing.

We can’t complain about how kids (especially Americans) these days tend towards obesity and then whinge when they go in for one of the most savage weight loss programmes on the planet. Likewise we can’t moan about only 10% of Americans not even having passports and then criticise a lad who’s travelled to 6 out of 7 continents to realise his dream of all the highest summits, expanding his horizons in the process.

What I would like to know more about is his motivation and that of his parents. Firstly his: if you go to his website, it’s justified by saying it’s been his dream to climb the 7 summits. At 13 years old, I had some pretty wacky dreams too, and nothing that 50 grand couldn’t have sorted out with change to spare. Some clue is given when we see that it’s all part of the standard 7 summits thing, now just lacking Vinson, so it's allover bar the shouting (and a hefty bill for Vinson). And now his next project is Cho Oyu. No prizes for guessing what the next project will be. Only another 13 8000m peaks to go….

Personally, I’m not attracted to mountains by their altitude – it’s a bit like saying the best motorbike on the road is the one with the biggest engine, and you can easily see that’s nonsense by comparing a Honda Goldwing with almost any other bike on the road. I’m sure climbing above 8000m has its attractions. Maybe the shy retiring Kenton Cool will have an opinion on the subject ;) but I’d have thought it would be good for a 13 year old to get a bit of a broader look at climbing rather than just bagging numbers at such an early stage in his climbing career. And make no mistake – that’s exactly what it is. His parents have decided that by supporting him and his career both in terms of time and cash.

So what’s the motivation of the parents? I can’t even begin to imagine. There's even less on that on the website i.e. no info at all, apart from saying that it's all Jordan's idea. Nevertheless, they're supporting his idea/dream. They are both “professional adventure racers” whatever that means. I didn’t know there was enough cash in adventure racing to stump up cash for a family trip to Everest.

The ironic and amusing thing about all this is that, being from California, young Jordan Romero will have to wait 8 years before he can legally have a celebratory beer in his home state. Cheers!