1. Life and Activities
Park Young-seok's life was defined by his formidable achievements in mountaineering and exploration, establishing him as a pioneering figure in the global climbing community.
1.1. Early Life and Education
Park Young-seok was born on November 2, 1963, in Seoul, South Korea. Details of his early education and formative years are not widely documented, but his passion for the mountains developed early in his life, guiding his future endeavors.
1.2. Early Activities
Park's mountaineering career began to take shape with initial climbs that honed his skills and prepared him for the monumental challenges he would later undertake. His first major summit was Mount Everest in 1993, marking the beginning of his ascent to global recognition.
1.3. Major Climbs and Expeditions
Park Young-seok's career was distinguished by a series of groundbreaking achievements that cemented his status as one of the world's most accomplished mountaineers and explorers.
1.3.1. Explorers Grand Slam
In May 2005, Park Young-seok made history by becoming the first person in the world to complete the True Explorers Grand Slam, a feat recognized by the Guinness World Records. This monumental achievement required him to successfully climb the Seven Summits (the highest peaks on each of the seven continents), ascend all 14 of the world's eight-thousander peaks (mountains over 26 K ft (8.00 K m)), and trek to both the North Pole and the South Pole. He reached the North Pole on April 30, 2005 (Korean Standard Time), completing the Grand Slam.
1.3.2. Completion of 14 Eight-thousanders
Park Young-seok was the first Korean and the eighth person worldwide to complete the ascent of all 14 eight-thousander peaks. He also held the world record for the shortest period to complete this challenging series of climbs, making him the fifth fastest overall, following Kristin Harila, Nirmal Purja, Kim Chang-ho, and Jerzy Kukuczka. His ascents of these formidable peaks are detailed below:
| Name of Peak | Elevation (m) | Date of summit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Everest | 29 K ft (8.85 K m) | 1993-05-16 |
| 2. | Annapurna | 27 K ft (8.09 K m) | 1996-05-04 |
| 3. | Dhaulagiri | 27 K ft (8.17 K m) | 1997-04-27 |
| 4. | Gasherbrum I | 26 K ft (8.07 K m) | 1997-07-09 |
| 5. | Gasherbrum II | 26 K ft (8.04 K m) | 1997-07-19 |
| 6. | Cho Oyu | 27 K ft (8.20 K m) | 1997-09-27 |
| 7. | Nanga Parbat | 27 K ft (8.13 K m) | 1998-07-21 |
| 8. | Manaslu | 27 K ft (8.16 K m) | 1998-12-06 |
| 9. | Kangchenjunga | 28 K ft (8.59 K m) | 1999-05-12 |
| 10. | Makalu | 28 K ft (8.46 K m) | 2000-05-15 |
| 11. | Broad Peak | 26 K ft (8.05 K m) | 2000-07-30 |
| 12. | Shishapangma | 26 K ft (8.03 K m) | 2000-10-02 |
| 13. | K2 | 28 K ft (8.61 K m) | 2001-07-22 |
| 14. | Lhotse | 28 K ft (8.52 K m) | 2001-04-29 |
1.3.3. Seven Summits Ascents
Park Young-seok successfully climbed the highest peaks on each of the seven continents, a critical component of his Explorers Grand Slam. These ascents showcased his versatility and global reach as a climber.
| Name of Peak | Elevation (m) | Date of summit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Everest | 29 K ft (8.85 K m) | 1993-05-16 |
| 2. | Denali | 20 K ft (6.20 K m) | 1994-06-02 |
| 3. | Kilimanjaro | 19 K ft (5.90 K m) | 1997-02-17 |
| 4. | Kosciusko | 7.5 K ft (2.28 K m) | 2001-09-21 |
| 5. | Aconcagua | 23 K ft (6.96 K m) | 2002-01-11 |
| 6. | Carstensz Pyramid | 16 K ft (4.88 K m) | 2002-05-11 |
| 7. | Elbrus | 19 K ft (5.64 K m) | 2002-07-07 |
| 8. | Vinson Massif | 16 K ft (4.90 K m) | 2002-11-25 |
1.3.4. Polar Expeditions
His expeditions to the Earth's poles were equally challenging and demonstrated his comprehensive exploratory skills. In 2004, Park reached the South Pole on foot, completing the journey in 44 days without any food re-supplies, a remarkable self-sufficient trek. He completed his Explorers Grand Slam by reaching the North Pole on April 30, 2005.
1.3.5. Climbing Records and Achievements
Beyond the Grand Slam, Park Young-seok set several notable records. He climbed six of the 8,000-meter Himalayan peaks within a single year, showcasing his incredible endurance and strategic planning. His self-sufficient trek to the South Pole, completed in 44 days, further highlighted his exceptional capabilities as an explorer. In 2006, he completed an Everest North-South Traverse, ascending from the north side and descending to the south side.
2. Awards and Honors
For his extraordinary contributions to mountaineering and exploration, Park Young-seok received significant national recognition from the Republic of Korea:
- 1993:** Awarded the Sports Medal (체육포장Cheyuk-pojangKorean).
- 2003:** Awarded the Sports Order Cheongnyongjang (체육훈장 청룡장Cheyuk Hun장을 CheongnyongjangKorean), which is a 1st class honor.
3. Disappearance and Death
Park Young-seok's illustrious career came to a tragic end during an expedition to the treacherous Annapurna South Face.
3.1. Annapurna South Face Expedition
In October 2011, Park Young-seok, accompanied by fellow climbers Shin Dong-min and Kang Ki-seok, embarked on another ambitious attempt to ascend the Annapurna South Face. Before the expedition, Park articulated his unwavering dedication to exploration, stating, "I'm getting more and more likely to die. I live each day with a grateful heart, but a mountaineer who settles down is not a mountaineer... If a tiger loses its wildness, is it still a tiger? I was born with the luck of an explorer, so I think I'll explore and climb mountains until the day I die." This quote underscored his profound commitment to his calling, even in the face of extreme danger.
3.2. Disappearance and Search Process
Park and his team went missing after their last communication on October 18, 2011. His final words recorded on the base camp walkie-talkie were, "How do we get across that?" The Korean Alpine Federation immediately launched a comprehensive search and rescue operation. Despite a ten-day effort to locate the missing climbers, no signs of Park, Shin, or Kang were found. The challenging conditions and the presumed danger of rockfall led the Federation to call off the operation on October 28, 2011.
3.3. Presumed Death and Mourning
With no trace of the climbers found, Park Young-seok and his team members were officially presumed to have perished due to a rockfall. The Korean Alpine Federation organized a joint "Mountaineer's Funeral" to honor the lost climbers. An incense burning altar was set up, which was visited by over 4,000 mourners, reflecting the deep public grief and respect for Park Young-seok and his companions.
4. Legacy
Park Young-seok's life and achievements have left an indelible mark on the mountaineering community and beyond, inspiring future generations to pursue their own grand challenges.
4.1. Park Young-seok Mountain Culture Center
To commemorate his extraordinary legacy and promote mountaineering culture, the Park Young-seok Mountain Culture Center was established. Construction of the center began in 2016 near Park's hometown of Sangam-dong, within Mapo-gu, Seoul. The facility, which opened in 2019, serves as an urban park featuring indoor rock climbing facilities, exhibition spaces dedicated to mountaineering and exploration, and performance halls, providing a vibrant hub for mountain enthusiasts and the public.
4.2. Impact on the Mountaineering Community
Park Young-seok's accomplishments, particularly his completion of the True Explorers Grand Slam and his numerous speed records, profoundly impacted the global mountaineering community. His relentless spirit of challenge, his perseverance in overcoming obstacles (including personal controversies), and his ultimate sacrifice have solidified his image as a trailblazer. He continues to inspire climbers and explorers worldwide, encouraging them to pursue ambitious goals and embrace the spirit of adventure and discovery.