If you’ve started researching the Seven Summits, you’ve likely hit the Seventh Summit question: Carstensz Pyramid or Mount Kosciuszko? The answer depends on which list you follow, and the debate traces back to two very different mountaineering philosophies, Dick Bass’s geographic interpretation and Reinhold Messner’s stricter continental definition. CTSS Owner Mike Hamill sat down with guide and fitness trainer Mark Postle and expedition doctor and guide Dr. Brenton Systermans to unpack why both peaks qualify, how they compare as climbs, and what actually drives most climbers toward one or the other. The full conversation is available to watch on YouTube.

What the webinar makes clear is that there’s no universally right answer. Carstensz is a remote, technical rock climb with complex logistics and a true expedition feel. Kosciuszko is accessible, flexible, and works well as both a starting point and a culminating celebration. Some climbers do both. The more useful question isn’t which peak counts, it’s which one fits your goals, your timeline, and your reason for climbing. If you’re weighing the options, watch the webinar recording to hear the full breakdown, and visit our Carstensz and Kosciuszko program pages to learn more.