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Not content with making the summit, he then made a rapid ascent to sea level on foot and by cycle, through rainforest and jungle conditions – it all goes with the territory for this intrepid endurance athlete who has set his sights on a new world record – for the fastest ascent and descent of the legendary Seven Summits, the world's seven highest mountains.

He has called his world record bid Seven Summits to Sea Level www.7summits2sealivel.com

Having secured sponsorship from the Chicago based investment firm and online brokerage PEAK6 (www.peak6.com), Noel is now just one peak away from that dream.

The challenge is daunting for the Dromara, Northern Ireland, based endurance athlete and expedition consultant: Seven summits of the world's highest peaks, followed by seven punishing top-speed descents to Sea Level – by foot, bicycle, skis or kayak. Three years, five continents, hundreds of logistical challenges - and one goal in sight, a new entry in the Guinness Book of Records.

The 6th Peak in the challenge, Carstenz Pyramid proved the greatest challenge yet. It is regarded as the most technically difficult climbs of all the Seven Summits, and the most logistically challenging - only a few hundred climbers have ever undertaken expeditions here because of the region's history of political instability and civilian unrest.
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PEAK6, parent company of the award winning OptionsHouse brokerage firm, Options News Network (www.onn.tv) and consumer site www.WeSeed.com were attracted by the scale and scope of the challenge – as well as the irresistible appeal of the name – they will specifically sponsor the 6th Peak. . "The 7Summits2SeaLevel campaign is a remarkable challenge, a testament to Noel Hanna's stamina, drive and determination." says Matthew Hulsizer, PEAK6 Founder and Chairman. "To scale the world's highest peaks is a significant achievement, but to then take on the equivalent of an Iron Man triathlon immediately after summiting, to get back to sea level in record time, is extraordinary."

The 7th Peak now beckons - it just remains for Noel to scale the heights of Mt Vinson in Antarctica to clinch this awe-inspiring new world record, and a place in climbing history.

Media Contact
Anna Mooney at Omnia Media (+44) 02890 447607 or (+44) 07855 778085

PHOTOGRAPHY:

Noel Hanna pic

CAPTION (pic attached):
November 2008
Irish Climber on cusp of world record bid
This week, Noel Hanna, 42, from Dromara, Northern Ireland, completed ascent and descent to Sea Level (by bicycle and foot)) of Indonesia's daunting Carstenz Pyramid, the highest summit in Oceania. It is the penultimate peak in his Seven Summits to Sea Level challenge. His goal? To scale the world's seven highest peaks, followed by seven arduous and top-speed descents to Sea Level – and a new entry in the Guinness Book of Records. Noel has just secured sponsorship from Chicago based investment firm and online brokerage PEAK6 (www.peak6.com) in his bid to set a new world record.
will reach fulfillment in Antarctica in December 2008

Notes to Editors

• For full information on Noel Hanna and the 7 Summits 2 Sea Level World Record Challenge, visit www.7summits2SeaLevel.com
• Noel Hanna is available for speaking engagements in Ireland and the UK throughout 2008 on the subject of his successful expeditions to date. Please contact Anna Mooney on (+44) 07855 778085 for further information.
• A full range of expedition photography is available in high res format on request.

Carstenz Pyramid: Fact File (from www.7summits.com)

Height: 16,023 feet (4,884 meters)
Location: Irian Jaya (Or Papua since 2000), Indonesia, Australia/Oceania
Lat/Lon: 4.08°S, 137.18°E
First climbed by Harrer, Temple, Kippax and Huizenga in 1962. (Heinrich Harrer is known from his '7years in Tibet'.)
This is technically the hardest of the 7 summits. Although Dick Bass climbed Kosciuszko as the last of his 7 summits quest, this is in fact the highest mountain of the oceanic continent, but the discussion is still going on.

First climbed by Heinrich Harrer who wrote his book "I come from the stone age" about this period. It's a steep granite wall with sharp good climbable rock. Only a few hundred people have climbed Carstensz due to the political instability and the fact that it is hidden in dense jungle. Be prepared to climb in snow, rain, with your gloves being torn by the sharp rock, while seeing the Freeport company tearing down other nearby mountains, the last glaciers near the equator and men wearing nothing but penisgourds!

When to climb and seasons. CP can be climbed all year round as it is very close to the equator and there is bad weather all year round. It rains a lot as the wet winds are pushed upwards from all sides. When climbing the narrow summitridge there are serious chances of snowstorms, so be prepared.

The advice is to grab the chance when you are able as the mountain can be closed without warning.

Political background
Since the Dutch handed over the control of Irian Jaya to Indonesia in 1962 there have been independence struggles. Irian Jaya is the other half of the Papua New Guinea island and has no ethnical or religious connection with Indonesia. However, because of the presence of one of the biggest (gold, copper) mines in the world, Indonesia will not let Irian Jaya have self control as it brings millions of dollars of hard currency to Indonesia every day.

The Free Papua movement has been fighting for independence for over 30 years, this sometimes has proven lethal for travelers.