Nikki and Rocco are on a mission to make history. Together, they’re striving to become:
- The first married couple to complete the Seven Volcanic Summits
- The first American woman (Nikki) to stand atop all seven
- The youngest American (Rocco) to achieve the feat
They’ve already climbed six of the seven volcanic summits — Pico de Orizaba, Mount Giluwe, Damavand, Kilimanjaro, Ojos del Salado, and Mount Elbrus — and four of the Seven Summits, including Aconcagua and Puncak Jaya. Only one mountain remains: Mount Sidley in Antarctica — the most remote volcano on Earth.
This final climb isn’t just about a record. It’s about representation, resilience, and redefining who belongs in the world’s most extreme places.
Why This Matters
Nikki grew up at sea level and had only run a mile once in her life before discovering mountaineering. Today, she’s climbed some of the world’s highest peaks — not because she thought she could, but because she refused to believe she couldn’t.
As a woman of color, Nikki rarely saw people who looked like her in the outdoor community. The lack of representation in climbing and mountaineering is rooted in generations of systemic barriers — from classism and sexism to racism and access. Nikki is determined to change that.
Through her work as an ambassador with both Gravity Haus and the Gore Range Gravity Alliance, she leads free community events, outdoor workshops, and fireside conversations designed to empower women and people of color to take up space in the mountains. She offers mentorship, training guidance, and expedition planning support to make big mountain goals feel attainable — no matter where someone starts.
Her mission is simple: to make the outdoors a place where everyone feels they belong.
The Final Summit: Mount Sidley, Antarctica
Mount Sidley is the last step in the journey — and the hardest to reach. The climb requires a charter flight from Punta Arenas, Chile, to Antarctica, one of the most remote and expensive expeditions in the world.
Cost: $103,000 per person
Covers: Flights to and from Antarctica, base camp logistics, guides, safety, and meals
Includes: Both Mount Sidley (Antarctica’s highest volcano) and Mount Vinson (Antarctica’s highest mountain)
Nikki and Rocco live simply — out of their van — dedicating their lives to training, climbing, and using their platform to inspire others. But this final expedition is beyond what they can afford on a single income.
How You Can Help
There are many important causes in the world, but this one represents something larger than a record. It’s about visibility, perseverance, and proving that the summit belongs to everyone.
Your support will help Nikki and Rocco complete a once-in-history climb — and inspire a generation of women and people of color to dream beyond the horizon.
Every contribution, no matter the size, helps bring them one step closer to standing on Mount Sidley — and making mountaineering history together.