Seven Summits Challenge Johann preps to conquer three more peaks in January

Johann Peries at the press conference held recently

On January 5, Johann Peries, the second Sri Lankan to summit Mount Everest, will embark on a journey to conquer three of the highest peaks as part of the Seven Summits challenge—considered the world’s most coveted mountaineering achievement. The challenge involves scaling the highest peaks on each of the seven continents, a feat accomplished by only around 360 individuals worldwide.

Peries has already summited four peaks: Mount Everest (Nepal, Asia), Mount Kosciuszko (Australia), Mount Elbrus (Russia, Europe), and Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania, Africa). His remaining targets are Mount Aconcagua (Argentina, South America), Mount Denali (Alaska, North America), and Mount Vinson (Antarctica).

It’s about 4,680 meters in height. I’ll be joining an expedition team and leaving on January 5. Once I finish that, I’ll head straight to Argentina. Both these peaks are in the Southern Hemisphere. It could take another three to three and a half weeks in Argentina. Then, I’ll return to Sri Lanka for a few weeks—maybe six to eight—where I’ll recuperate and prepare myself for the final challenge, which will be Mount Denali in Alaska”

- Johann Peries

Speaking at a recent press briefing, Peries announced that his journey would begin with Mount Vinson in Antarctica. “It’s about 4,680 meters in height. I’ll be joining an expedition team and leaving on January 5. Once I finish that, I’ll head straight to Argentina. Both these peaks are in the Southern Hemisphere. It could take another three to three and a half weeks in Argentina. Then, I’ll return to Sri Lanka for a few weeks—maybe six to eight—where I’ll recuperate and prepare myself for the final challenge, which will be Mount Denali in Alaska,” Peries explained.

Peries had attempted Mount Denali last year but was forced to turn back during the final stage of the journey. “After 18 days of struggling through snow, ice, storms, and blizzards, we were told on the final date of summit that we couldn’t proceed because a storm was approaching.  That’s how powerful nature is—you have no control over it. We had to humble ourselves and come back down, alive and in one piece,” he recounted.

Peries speaking at the event

Peries seated among family and friends
(Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe)

“I was taught by a good teacher, Bishop Kirby, that life is one of the most important things. We must respect life, and everything we do should aim to uplift it—not just for ourselves but for others as well. I hope that through my journey, I’m doing exactly that: inspiring others to pursue their dreams and helping them achieve their goals in life,” Peries shared.

Explaining his motivation for taking on the Seven Summits challenge, Peries shared, “After climbing Mount Everest, the question was, what next? That’s what everyone kept asking me. Initially, the Seven Summits wasn’t really a dream of mine, but over time, I realised I needed something to inspire me and keep me moving forward. I didn’t want my dream to end with Everest. So, I took on the challenge of the Seven Summits, and it’s no easy feat—it requires passion, commitment, and time.

“This challenge isn’t just about taking on a physical task or pushing yourself to prove a point. It demands immense mental strength to keep going and to do what you are doing. It became something that everybody looked at. They kept wondering whether I could achieve it and how would I do it. We come from an island which is at sea level, but the heights we have to go to are 7,000 to 8,000 meters high. Sri Lanka doesn’t have the conditions—no snow or icy mountains—but those are precisely the challenges we have to overcome.

“This challenge also became something that I wanted to do as a Sri Lankan for the nation; and I had the duty from there on to actually try and make it really happen–to help take the Sri Lankan flag to the seven corners of the world and to the seven highest points of the continents. So I worked at this,” Peries said.

While narrating how he managed to secure sponsorships, Peries also expressed heartfelt gratitude to those who supported him from the beginning, making a special mention of his late father. “First of all, I want to pay tribute to my dad. He’s not here with us today, but he was the one who inspired me to take on this journey. Then, there’s my family, who have stood by me and supported me through everything. I’m able to do this because of their strength and unwavering encouragement.

There’s also another family that is very important to me, one that has shaped who I am today—my WOWLife family. And, of course, I must thank Sajeda Akbarally, who has been there for me right from the start. Thank you for always standing by me,” he shared.

“Finally, I’d like to thank the press. You have supported me from the beginning, and I ask you to stand with me once again, right to the end. Together, I’m confident we will achieve victory in taking the Sri Lankan flag to the seven corners of the world. I believe this is a great achievement for Sri Lanka as a whole. We are people who are resilient, we are people who when we are given a challenge, will take it on, and I want to show the world that we are people who can make things happen and can be victorious in any situation that is thrown before us,” Peries said. 

Radiesha Daluwatte, Director of Marketing at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, the hospitality partner, also shared a few words. “We are incredibly proud to stand behind Johann on this journey as his hospitality partner. Johann’s journey is a testament to grit, determination, and an unwavering belief that dreams are worth pursuing. As he takes the Sri Lankan flag to the seven corners of the world, we at Cinnamon Life are honoured to support him every step of the way. This partnership is more than just a collaboration; it’s a celebration of resilience and ambition, and we are in it for the long run,” Daluwatte concluded.