FERNANDA MACIEL BREAKS RECORDS AND CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE

FERNANDA MACIEL BREAKS RECORDS AND CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE. Our MOUNTAINEERING section bring us today the last record of Fernanda across the world’s highest summits.

Brazilian ultrarunner Fernanda Maciel has pushed the boundaries of human endurance with her recent record on the Carstensz Pyramid, Oceania’s highest peak. Also known as Puncak Jaya, located in Indonesia.

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FERNANDA MACIEL BREAKS RECORDS AND CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE

Fernanda Maciel has Set the Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Carstensz Pyramid for a round trip on October 17, 2024, in 1 hour and 48 minutes, Maciel completed the 3.41-kilometer ascent and descent on challenging limestone rock terrain. This achievement marks the fifth peak in her quest to conquer the Seven Summits with record-breaking times. The Seven Summits include the highest mountains on each continent, with only Denali and Everest left in Maciel’s historic endeavor.

The Journey to Carstensz Pyramid

Maciel’s journey to the Carstensz Pyramid—a technically challenging mountain that stands at 4,884 meters—exemplifies her mental resilience and  athletic ability. Known for its notoriously slippery rock surfaces and unstable weather, the climb requires careful planning and precision. During her run, Maciel faced a narrow two-hour window of favorable weather, critical to her record attempt. After enduring harsh conditions at base camp and facing physical fatigue, she completed the climb, which typically takes climbers around 13 hours, in just under 2 hours, 1 hour and 48 minutes, now stands as the record, verified by SkyRunning World Records. She stated that the climb was one of her most challenging due to treacherous conditions, limited sleep, and minimal food resources.

Maciel revealed: “The mountain is quite intimidating because you arrive here already sleep-deprived, the base camp conditions are very tough, and there’s no food… I ate an instant noodle before setting off, for example. That was all there was. So, you’re in a very weakened state. I feel truly blessed because there was this two-hour window in the weather, and it’s usually bad weather here. I managed to do it. But this doesn’t mean the rock was in good condition—it was very slippery, with snow at the top. I had to stay very calm to avoid slipping at those points.”

The Brazilian continued: “I’m super happy. I did it in 1 hour and 48 minutes, going up and down this mountain, which generally takes people about 13 hours to complete. So, it was truly a quick time. I was really impressed with my skill on the rocks. I’m super happy and relieved, actually, because this mountain is very frightening.”

Maciel’s Seven Summits FKTs

Maciel’s Carstensz Pyramid FKT is part of a much larger journey to establish new records across the world’s highest summits. Her accomplishments on the Seven Summits include:

1. Aconcagua (South America) – Completed in 22 hours and 52 minutes in February 22, 2016, where Maciel battled high-altitude conditions and extreme temperatures, -30º to become the first woman to set an FKT on this 6,960-meter peak.
2. Kilimanjaro (Africa) – In September 25, 2017, Maciel set the women’s record with a 10-hour round trip on the 5,895-meter mountain, requiring endurance across diverse terrains and climates.
3. Elbrus (Europe) – Facing -23°C temperatures, Maciel set a 7-hour and 40-minute round-trip record in April 28, 2019 on Mount Elbrus, Europe’s tallest peak, scaling icy, exposed paths.
4. Vinson (Antarctica) – On Mount Vinson, she battled fierce winds and freezing temperatures, setting her record in under 10 hours in December 24, 2022.
5. Puncak Jaya / Carstensz Pyramid (Oceania) – The recent 1-hour and 48-minute climb stands as a testament to her abilities, taking her another step closer to completing all Seven Summits FKTs. October 17, 2024.

Maciel’s remaining goals in her Seven Summits quest include Alaska’s Denali and Mount Everest, the highest and most demanding peaks on Earth.

More Than Just Records: Environmental Advocacy and Philanthropy

Each of Maciel’s climbs is driven by her commitment to environmental advocacy and social impact, drawing attention to issues affecting the planet. Before becoming a professional athlete, Maciel was an environmental lawyer, a passion she continues to honor through her athletic career by supporting local communities and ecological initiatives. Her climbs focus on bringing awareness to endangered ecosystems, as well as promoting sustainability.

• Aconcagua: Maciel worked with park officials to promote sustainable waste management and lessen climbers’ environmental impact on Aconcagua National Park.
• Mount Vinson: During her Antarctic climb, she collaborated with the Antarctic Science Foundation, contributing to research on climate change’s impact on the fragile ecosystem and raising awareness about melting ice caps.
• Kilimanjaro: After setting a record, Maciel supported the Kilimanjaro Orphanage Centre, emphasizing her dedication to children’s welfare.
• Mount Elbrus: In Russia, she contributed to “Crisiscenter.ru,” supporting women recovering from violence, thus combining her athletic success with social advocacy.

Maciel’s Seven Summits journey showcases her dual commitment to athletic excellence and environmental preservation. “My goal is not just to set records but to show the beauty and resilience of these environments. I hope people can see the power of nature through my journeys and feel motivated to protect it,” she said.

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