Junior achievement: Some thoughts on Jordan Romero, Jessica Watson and adventurism
Jordan Romero, with Everest's summit just in view. (Photo by Jordan Romero.com)
Exploration, or in more recent times, adventurism, is all about pushing new boundaries. It’s the only way people can see what their limits are, find something undiscovered, or test the technology of the day.
I get that. In my own way, I’ve seen times where I’ve had to go outside my comfort zone or push through fatigue to accomplish certain goals. This is the way we grow personally or, as a society, how we innovate.
A lot of things come to mind. First ascents on difficult peaks. Mapping the depths of the ocean floor. Walking on the moon.
There are times, however, that I wonder if modern-day attempts to set records stray from the realm of exploration and adventurism and go headlong into hunting accolades.
In this space, I’ve written about Jordan Romero, the 13-year-old Californian who successfully climbed Mount Everest. In doing so, he became the youngest person to ever accomplish the feat.
I also included a post about 16-year-old Jessica Watson, the young Aussie who became the youngest person to ever circumnavigate the world in a sailboat solo.
Jessica Watson (AP photo)
These are serious achievements, regardless of age. But because of these kids’ ages, they also set records. That could lead to a degree of fame and potential riches in the form of book deals and such.
So a couple of questions come to mind.
First off, what’s next for these kids? We know Romero is also seeking to bag the Seven Summits, which means he has one more to go, Vinson Massif in Antarctica. I’ve also seen reports of how he wants to climb Cho Oyu, the world’s sixth-highest peak.
I’m not sure about Watson’s future plans.
In any case, it will be tough to top what they’ve already done, at least in terms of notoriety. There are tougher deeds out there to be had, but it will be difficult to match the publicity these two received lately. Have they hit their prime too young? Can you grow past childhood achievements as you age, or will you forever be marked by what you did as a kid?
The good thing is that both will live to figure these questions out. But this brings up the next question: What now for these records?
Surely the temptation will arise for someone to break the records set by Romero and Watson. Some plucky 12-year-old will want a shot at Everest, or a 14-year-old will helm the next solo voyage around the globe. Where will it end? When is too young?
The question can be asked of a lot of similar ventures, such as the Nepalese man with no arms who wants to climb Everest. Pick your challenge (no legs, blind, oldest, youngest, etc.) and it will be attempted, either to stroke an individual’s ego or to somehow monetize the feat.
Here’s what would impress me. Find me some 12-year-old kid who climbs a big mountain, but doesn’t tell anyone about it except his friends and family. Find me a seventh-grader who sails the world, but does it just to see if she can. Or some guy with prosthetics who attempts El Capitan and succeeds. And all he gets is the satisfaction that he did it. It would be adventure for adventure’s sake.
Bob Doucette
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Comments
Indeed. This is going to be a long-running debate for some time. Good for Jordan and his folks for making it happen, but I wonder what will happen if the next kid who tries the peak ends up dead.
hello,
right now at school im currently doing an assingment on is jessica watson or jordan romero too young to do this stuff? no i dont think so. What people have to undersatnd is that, yes it is risky but these kids have trained years to do this stuff its not like they just woke up one morning and decided im going to clim everest or sail around the world.
So i totally argree with you, thanx for posting the story up!!!
[...] Our outdoor blog writer has written about the youngest person to climb Mt. Everest and why that record may stand indefinitely. Click here. He has also written about how young people are seeking adventures, but sometimes at a big cost. Click here. [...]
Good article, important points to consider.
I have concern for the “next-youngest-to-do-xxx”. When the body isn’t developed enough for the attempt; when the judgement is unprepared for the problem at hand. Kids are capable of amazing things, but as parents we are (or should be) wired to consider our childrens’ safety ahead of all accomplishments, accolades and even the child’s burning desire to meet the challenge. It’s tough sometimes to be a parent when your decisions aren’t popular . . .