First Russian/American, Nikol Kovalchuk Joins the Elite — Completing the 14 Peaks and Seven Summits with Elite Exped

From Everest to Antarctica, one woman’s dream becomes reality — and Elite Exped was with her every step of the way.

To stand on top of all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks and reach the highest summit on every continent is a dream for many — and a reality for only a rare few.

We are beyond proud to celebrate Elite Exped client and friend, Nikol Kovalchuk who has officially completed the 14 Peaks and Seven Summits challenge with her summit of Denali on 6th June 2025. A truly extraordinary achievement, and one that places her among the most accomplished mountaineers in the world.

From the entire Elite Exped team — including our founder Nims Purja MBE — we send you our HUGE congratulations, Nikol. Your strength, determination, and trust in the process has been nothing short of inspiring. We’ve been honoured to support you on this journey, and we can’t wait to see what you take on next.

A Journey to the Roof of the World — and Beyond

Nikol climbed 20 of her 21 peaks with Elite Exped, a testament to the partnership, trust and shared vision we’ve built together. Her journey has taken her across continents, through the Khumbu Icefall of Everest, across the steep faces of Annapurna, and onto the exposed ridgelines of K2. She’s pushed through the heat of the jungle on the way to Carstensz Pyramid, and faced freezing storms in Antarctica to summit Mount Vinson and ski to the South Pole.

She’s stood on top of: 

·      Everest 

·      K2, the world’s most dangerous climb 

·      Manaslu, Makalu, Lhotse, and more 

·      Plus remote giants like Shishapangma and Dhaulagiri

Every climb brought new challenges — altitude, extreme weather, logistics, and the sheer mental and physical effort required to keep going. But every step, Nikol rose to meet them. With Elite Exped by her side, she knew she had the backing of world-class logistics, expert guides, and a team that shares her belief: no mountain is impossible.

Mother. Entrepreneur. Mountaineer. Legend.

Nikol’s story is remarkable not just because of what she’s climbed — but because of who she is. A successful business leader, dedicated philanthropist, and mother-of-four, she’s shown that it’s possible to chase your wildest dreams while staying true to your values.

She embodies the spirit of Elite Exped: strength, focus, and a belief that limits are only there to be broken.

Your Dream. Our Mission.

Nikol’s story is proof of what’s possible when passion meets preparation — and when you have the right team behind you. Whether your goal is your first 6,000m peak, Everest, or your own 14x8000m journey, we’re here to help make it happen.

Want to follow in Nikol’s footsteps and take on your own Big Mountain dream?

Enquire today and let’s start your journey to the top: