45 pages • 1 hour read
Jordan RomeroNo Summit Out Of Sight: The True Story Of The Youngest Person To Climb The Seven Summits
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Middle Grade | Published in 2014A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Summary
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Key Figures
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BetaKey Figures
Jordan Romero
The memoir’s central figure is Jordan Romero. At age 10, he climbs to his first summit, and he summits the world’s eight tallest mountains by age 15. He was the youngest person to ever achieve this and earned massive recognition from the mountaineering community and worldwide media for his decision to attempt this at such a young age. Jordan states early on that when he gets an idea, he doesn’t hold back: “When I get interested in something, I become a fanatic and learn everything I can about it” (5). He has always enjoyed the outdoors and loves skiing, and mountain climbing became his passion when he told himself that it was worth doing. The Power of Setting and Achieving Goals is Jordan’s primary mission in life, and his patience, perseverance, courage, and work ethic enable him to do whatever he sets his mind to. In addition, Jordan expresses how lucky he was to grow up with loving, supportive parents who believed in him as much as he believed in himself.
Jordan begins his quest with Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and concludes with Vinson in Antarctica. He wisely takes it one step at a time, gradually increasing difficulty with each climb, training for any and all special skills required, and taking his time. Although he experiences exhaustion, hopelessness, and homesickness while climbing, Jordan never gives up.
Through mountain climbing, Jordan has the opportunity to travel the world and interact with people from many cultures. This gives him a new appreciation for people and the environment, as well as perspective and wisdom. He loves animals and particularly enjoys his visits to wildlife preserves. In addition, Jordan expresses gratitude often for the people and situations in his life that allowed him to achieve his goal, including his parents, the family friends and community who helped fund his travels, and the many porters and Sherpas who ensured his safety and health. Thematically, Jordan emphasizes The Value of Teamwork in reaching a summit and knows he could never have done it without a team. He then sets a new goal to inspire other young people to follow their dreams through his “Find Your Everest” campaign. He shares his story and answers questions in the hopes that other kids will learn that they can reach their goals too. Thematically, he exemplifies the importance of a positive outlook in centering The Power of Setting and Achieving Goals.
Paul (Dad)
Jordan’s father, Paul, is one of his main supporters, teammates, and trainers. Like his wife, Paul has traveled the world as an adventure racer and is thus physically and mentally capable of mountain climbing and used to high elevations from living in Big Bear Lake, California. Jordan’s father is brave, strong, and assertive. He does not shy away from challenge; instead, he seeks it out, always striving to improve himself. Jordan deeply admires his father’s strength and inclination toward health and self-improvement, adopting these philosophies and traits in his own life. Paul trudges through feet of snow, endures sickness and injury, and fights through the exhaustion and danger of mountain climbing so that his son can achieve his dream. He always encourages Jordan to find his inner strength. When the group reaches a new summit, Jordan’s father becomes emotional with him, crying and holding his son with a sense of deep pride: “Dad was right behind me. He dropped to the ground too, holding me, tears pouring down his face” (196). Paul leads most of the climbs and risks his life for Jordan and Karen’s safety without question or complaint. He gradually gives Jordan more responsibility, easing him into manhood and supporting him along the way.
Karen
Jordan’s stepmom, Karen, is a key part of his support system as he pursues his goal to reach the Seven Summits. Karen is an adventurous and daring woman who, like Jordan’s father Paul, participates in adventure races around the world. These races require physical and mental fitness, training, and bravery, all traits that are useful in mountain climbing. In addition, Karen has much experience in world travel and through racing has connections all over the world, which she uses to help Jordan achieve his dream. Karen is present on every single climb, all the way to the summit. She films Jordan’s achievements, encourages him when he feels like giving up, and is always right behind him if he needs her. Jordan knows he couldn’t have achieved his dreams without her by his side, writing, “She was her amazing Super K self—rock steady, cheerful, and strong. She always helped my whole attitude, and made me appreciate the smaller details on the climb” (175). Jordan knows he is lucky and realizes how rare it is to have parents who not only support such a massive and risky goal but are always right there, just as eager as he is for the next adventure. Karen helps Jordan raise funds for his trips and train for each mountain, ensuring that he is ready. When something goes wrong, she is always there with a solution.
