For trailblazing adventurer Oli France, The Ultimate Seven Project is a multi-year challenge. A world-first series of human-powered journeys that will take him from the lowest to the highest point on each continent.
Through deserts and snowy mountains, high-altitude and extreme weather, Oli’s expeditions test the limits of physical and mental strength, and celebrate the raw power of what happens when the natural environment intersects with human determination.
2023: The Africa Leg: Lac Assal to Kilimanjaro
Oli cycled and climbed 1,636 miles from Lac Assal in Djibouti, the lowest point in Africa, to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m) in Tanzania.
Facing 45°C heat, dehydration, and exhaustion, Oli crossed Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania over 28 days. But amid the pain and adversity, there were moments of vibrant encounters with locals, breathtaking landscapes, and plenty of adventure.
Reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro was a landmark moment - making the first of his human-powered dreams a reality. And this was just the beginning.
2024: The North America Leg: Death Valley to Denali
A year later came North America, the most logistically and physically demanding chapter so far. Starting alone in Death Valley, California, Oli cycled, skied, and trekked 3,588 miles over 64 days - ending on the summit of Denali (6,190 m), North America’s tallest and one of its wildest mountains.
The expedition demanded complete self-sufficiency: including a rare 120 km ski approach to Denali Base Camp. Temperatures swung from the searing heat of the desert to –30°C winds on the summit ridge. As Oli reflected, “Every day, it seemed there were 101 ways I could fail. Yet I needed to maintain absolute conviction in achieving my goal.”
On May 26th, 2024, after a 16-hour summit push, his small unguided team reached the top. Oli became the first person this century to journey by human power from the lowest to the highest point in North America.
2025: The South America Leg: Laguna del Carbón to Aconcagua
January 2025, Oli set out once more, this time across Argentina - from Laguna del Carbón (-105 m), to the continent’s highest point, Aconcagua (6,961 m).
Over 34 days, he cycled and climbed 1,730 miles (2,784 km), enduring 49 mph Patagonian winds, searing 43°C desert heat and long, lonely stretches where water was scarce and the horizon refused to shift. The ride alone was an 18-day solo battle across Patagonia, testing every ounce of his willpower.
“The arid, featureless landscapes and lack of human contact made this a mental battle. Averaging 94 miles a day on a loaded bike took its toll.”
Reaching the Andes, he joined his climbing partner, Mike, and they spent days acclimatising, shuttling loads up the mountain, and waiting for their summit window. Finally, 13 days later, they stood at the top of Aconcagua.
A Journey of Endurance & Grit
In his public speaking, Oli often speaks about the mental battle of uncertainty - the wind that never stops, the mountain that never gets closer, and the invisible voice that questions, “Why keep going?” But he also says, “Doing hard things with an uncertain outcome always tests the mind and soul. Sometimes it can change them completely.”
What’s Next for The Ultimate Seven?
Across continents, Oli’s story is not just one of physical achievement but of discipline, adaptability, and self-discovery. With three of the seven continents complete, the path ahead through Asia, Europe, Australia, and Antarctica promises to push his limits even further.
“It’s a season of exploration, reflection, and preparation for the journeys ahead as I begin planning for an exciting 2026.”
Image credit: Oli France and Aaron Rolph
