World Record at the Top: How Twin Sisters Became the Youngest to Climb All Seven Summits and Volcanoes
Iulia Jaso and Delia Wookey (née Zanoschi), twin sisters from Romania, were simply planning a vacation with friends. A safari in Tanzania sounded perfect, and so did a side trip to Mount Kilimanjaro. Neither of them had any mountaineering experience. In fact, they had never even slept in a tent. But once they reached the summit of Kilimanjaro, something shifted. As they later recalled, that moment wasn’t just about a mountain; it was about transformation. The guide jokingly asked if they were doing the Seven Summits. That single sentence planted a seed. That night, the sisters stayed up talking, dreaming, and daring. Climbing the highest mountain on every continent? It sounded impossible. Which is exactly why it thrilled them.What Are the Seven Summits and Volcanic Summits?The Seven Summits represent the highest mountains on each continent: Mount Everest in Asia (8,848.86 m), Aconcagua in South America (6,961 m), Denali in North America (6,190 m), Mount Elbrus in Europe (5,642 m), Mount Vinson in Antarctica (4,892 m), Mount Kosciuszko in Australia (2,228 m), and Kilimanjaro in Africa (5,895 m).Alongside these, the Seven Volcanic Summits are the tallest volcanoes on each continent: Ojos del Salado in South America (6,893 m), Damavand in Asia (5,671 m), Pico de Orizaba in North America (5,636 m), Mount Giluwe in Oceania (4,368 m), Mount Sidley in Antarctica (4,285 m), Mount Elbrus in Europe (5,642 m), and Kilimanjaro in Africa (5,895 m). Interestingly, both Elbrus and Kilimanjaro are featured in both lists due to their unique geographical and geological status.Breaking Barriers: Record Holders Against All OddsIulia and Delia became the youngest women to complete both lists, at 33 years and 216 days. Today, they are 36, mothers to young children, and leaders in the tech world: Iulia at Google Cloud and Delia at Icertis. Their achievement wasn’t just about summits; it was about shattering limitations. They had no elite climbing background, no childhood dreams of mountaineering. What they had was determination, discipline, and sisterhood. “We started keeping weekends free so we could train together,” they shared. “It quickly became our shared purpose.”Mountains that Tested EverythingSome climbs came with joy. Others came with danger. Denali was the hardest because of bone-chilling temperatures, remote terrain, whiteouts, and technical climbs. Everest, the most famous peak of all, wasn’t easy either. In 2021, the sisters climbed amid two cyclones and COVID chaos. An avalanche wiped out several camps. Only a few teams made it to the top. They were among them. While Everest brought danger and fame, some of the lesser-known peaks brought unforgettable joy. Mount Giluwe in Papua New Guinea stood out not for its height but for the heart of the people. "It reminded us that strength doesn’t always wear boots or speak your language.” What makes Iulia and Delia’s story so compelling is how they balanced their mountaineering journey with full-time jobs and raising children. At a time when many struggle to juggle two responsibilities, they managed three with excellence. They were not sponsored athletes. They trained on their own time, used vacation days for climbs, and stayed grounded in their work and family life.Sisters, Soulmates, SummitersBeyond records, data, and altitudes, this is a human story of two women who refused to settle for less. Their adventure wasn’t just physical; it was emotional, spiritual, and deeply personal. They leaned on each other in storms and silence, on rock and ice, and every step of the way. Iulia and Delia didn’t start out to break a record. They started out to challenge themselves. And in the process, they found a purpose, a partnership, and a place in history.