World-beating climber inspired by Sai Kung hike

[First published on 3 January, 2017] Marin Minamiya, 20, is about to become the youngest person to conquer the tallest summits on all seven continents, as well as journey to opposite ends of the globe – but she will never forget her first hike in Hong Kong.

“I still remember when I looked down from the mountain, the scenery was so beautiful and special as Hong Kong’s mountains are right next to this concrete jungle,” Minamiya said, recalling her first hiking experience in Sai Kung when she was 13 and studying in the city.

After breaking the record for being the youngest Japanese to scale Mount Everest in May, Minamiya is one step away from completing the Explorers Grand Slam, a challenge to reach the North and South Pole and to climb the highest peaks on every continent.

She will be the 52nd person to complete the challenge and the youngest – breaking the record held by a 23-year-old – when she reaches the North Pole in April.

Having grown up in more than five places since she was 18 months old following her father who travels for business, Minamiya is no stranger to globe-trotting.

By her teenage years, however, what bothered her most was not having a place to call home.