Spotlight on Alum: Nicholas Cunningham

March 2007
By Marina Maric, CSB '07 

His dreams involve being on top of the world – not once, but seven times for the seven tallest mountaintops on each continent. He is already over halfway to his goal – he has climbed the tallest summits in Africa, North America, South America and Australia.

For Nicholas Cunningham '05, the dream began after he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro on a College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University study abroad trip in 2004 to South Africa.

"The climb was indescribable in all respects," Cunningham said. "Just traveling to Tanzania alone was an adventure. Seeing the Masai, climbing to nearly 20,000 feet and making such good friends along the way was amazing."

Cunningham traveled to South Africa with 30 other CSB/SJU students. While in the country, his outlook on the world changed immensely after he was introduced to other cultures, the animals of Africa and especially after witnessing racism.

"The most remarkable thing for me, however, was the trip to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro," Cunningham said. It was then that he knew climbing was something that he wanted to pursue.

Nicolas Cunningham ice climbing in Southeast Alaska at the Chilkat Range.

"Climbing is an unquantifiable goal," Cunningham said. "When I climb, I usually wish I was doing something else. But when I stop and catch my breath and look at the place at which I am living my life, I can do anything but contain myself."

Cunningham graduated from Saint John’s in May 2005 with a degree in management and a minor in communications.

"I don’t think you can find some of the values and traditions that you do at CSB/SJU at some other universities," Cunningham said. "If I can extend the warmth and moral goodness that I saw everyday at SJU and apply that to my life, I think that is something to be proud of."

Upon graduating from Saint John's, Cunningham decided to take some time off before he started working, and part of the decision was to pursue climbing. So far, he has climbed four summits or four tallest points on four different continents: Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa (19,340 feet), Cerro Aconcagua, Argentina, South America (22,340 feet), Mount McKinley, United States, North America (20,320 feet) and Mount Kosciosko, Australia (7,241 feet).

Cunningham has developed a nomadic lifestyle as a result of his travels to different parts of the world. In the last couple of months, he split his time between living in Alaska, Australia and Argentina. He is currently in Utah, working for Alaska Mountain Guides and Climbing School, Inc.

Nicholas Cunningham and fellow climbers on the summit ridge of Boy Scout in Southeast Alaska.

In July, Cunningham plans to travel to Russia to climb Mount Elbrus, Europe’s tallest point. In March 2008, he plans to climb Mount Everest in Asia. Mount Vinson in Antarctica will be his last climb and the hardest to find funding or sponsorship for.

"To climb Mount Vinson in Antarctica, a person normally goes through a commercial guiding company to take care of logistics," Cunningham said. The total cost to climb Mount Vinson runs around $28,000 per person. 

"The cost of climbing is different for every mountain," Cunningham said. "There are climbing fees like permits or park fees, food and any new gear, and whether or not you are being guided."

He estimates that the Mount Everest trip, planned for March 2008, will be about  $70,000 since the climbing permit alone costs $18,000. 

Cunningham does not have an official team, but he climbs mountains with friends or other enthusiasts, sometimes under the guidance of a guiding or travel company. After conquering all seven summits, he is thinking of attending graduate school to pursue a master’s degree. 

To learn more about Nicholas Cunningham and his climbing, visit his Climbing Seven Web site.  

Read more stories about CSB/SJU alumnae/i, students, and faculty.

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