“A Mountain for Every Continent. A Flag for Every Summit.”
Johann Peries, Sri Lanka’s pioneering mountaineer, has etched his name into history as the first Sri Lankan to complete the world’s most prestigious mountaineering challenge – the Seven Summits. By scaling the highest mountain on each continent, Johann has planted the Sri Lankan flag in places no Sri Lankan has ever stood before.
His final expedition took him to the formidable Denali, North America’s highest peak at 6,190 meters. Battling unforgiving sub-zero temperatures, carrying heavy loads over glacier fields, and facing treacherous storms and avalanche risks, Johann pushed forward until reaching High Camp at 5,243 meters – the final staging post before the summit. However, with dangerous weather closing in, he was forced to make the difficult decision to turn back, placing safety above all else. Yet, having already summited the continent’s other eligible peaks and completed the rest of the Seven Summits, his place in mountaineering history was secure.
Johann’s Seven Summits journey has spanned over a decade, a testament to his perseverance, grit and unyielding resolve. His mountaineering odyssey began in 2014 with Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak standing at 5,895 meters. Two years later, in 2016, he attempted the world’s tallest mountain – Mount Everest in Asia. Despite being forced to retreat from his first Everest attempt, Johann returned stronger and more determined, successfully summiting the iconic 8,849-metre giant in 2018.
What he carried with him was more than just tales of daring climbs; he carried the pride of an entire nation.
His journey continued in 2019 when he conquered Mount Kosciuszko in Australia, the continent’s highest peak at 2,228 meters. In 2023, he reached the summit of Mount Elbrus in Europe, standing 5,642 meters above sea level.
However, it was in 2025 that Johann cemented his status as a Sri Lankan mountaineering icon. In early 2025, he braved the harsh, icy wilderness of Antarctica to become the first Sri Lankan to summit Mount Vinson, the continent’s highest peak at 4,892 meters. Later that year, he turned his sights to Aconcagua in South America. Though violent weather thwarted his attempt just 200 meters from the summit of the 6,961-metre mountain, Johann had already completed the continent’s alternative peaks within the challenge criteria. Finally, with his ascent to High Camp on Denali in North America, Johann concluded his Seven Summits journey, marking the culmination of a decade-long saga defined by resilience, risk, and relentless ambition.
At 3:00 AM on July 8, 2025, Johann stepped back onto Sri Lankan soil, greeted by roaring cheers, fluttering national flags, and emotional embraces from friends, family, sponsors, and admirers. What he carried with him was more than just tales of daring climbs; he carried the pride of an entire nation.
Reflecting on his achievement, Johann shared:
“Each summit challenged my strength, tested my spirit and reaffirmed my purpose. Every climb pushed me beyond my limits and taught me the true meaning of resilience and determination. But through every struggle, I carried Sri Lanka with me. This journey wasn’t just personal – it was about showing the world who we are as a nation. And I’ve never been prouder to be Sri Lankan.”
He dreamed big. He climbed higher. And now, he returns home a legend.
More than a personal milestone, Johann’s Seven Summits success has become a symbol of Sri Lanka’s spirit – a nation unafraid to dream, undeterred by obstacles, and undiminished in the face of adversity. His story resonates not just as an individual triumph, but as a testament to the heights Sri Lankans can reach when armed with courage and conviction.
From the snowfields of Antarctica to the windswept heights of Everest, Johann Peries has taken the Sri Lankan flag to places it had never been. His legacy now transcends mountains. It is a legacy of inspiration, challenging future generations to break barriers, pursue greatness, and never stop climbing.
