Canarian Mountaineer María del Pino Plasencia Nears 'Seven Volcanic Summits' Goal

Mountaineer María del Pino Plasencia Casanova is nearing the end of an ambitious goal that could cement her status as a leading figure in Spanish climbing: the "Seven Volcanic Summits" challenge. The circuit requires climbers to summit the highest volcano on each of the seven continents, and the Adeje-based athlete has already successfully conquered six.

Originally from Imada, La Gomera, Plasencia’s path to mountaineering is unique. She did not start as a youth athlete; instead, she discovered her passion for the mountains a decade ago as an adult. Since then, she has completed over fifty ascents above 3,000 meters. Her impressive list of summits includes Elbrus, Kilimanjaro, Giluwe, Orizaba, Damavand, and most recently, Ojos del Salado. With that final climb, she became the first woman from the Canary Islands to reach the peak, succeeding after several previous attempts were thwarted by harsh weather.

Her final challenge is Mount Sidley in Antarctica. Unlike her previous climbs, this expedition presents significant logistical and financial hurdles due to the extreme difficulty of reaching the Antarctic interior. Plasencia is currently working to secure the necessary funding for the trip, which is scheduled for January. As part of her fundraising efforts, she is hosting a cultural event at the Adeje auditorium on May 16.

Plasencia’s journey highlights a growing reality in modern mountaineering: success depends as much on sponsorship and organizational skills as it does on physical fitness. The expedition to the 4,285-meter Mount Sidley will involve a small team of only nine people and has received institutional support from the Adeje City Council. For Plasencia, the project is more than just a technical achievement; it is a testament to perseverance and a push to break down the barriers that have historically limited women’s participation in high-altitude expeditions.