Cumbria’s mountain whiz kid has climbed 10 of the highest peaks in countries across the world.
Frankie McMillan, aged nine, of Gosforth, has spent the past three weeks ticking off another three of Europe’s highest peaks as part of his goal to climb all of Europe’s highest mountains – known as the Crown of Europe.
The youngster – who has previously tackled over 700 mountains including Everest and Mount Olympus – has now climbed a total of nine of the highest mountains in Europe and 10 of the highest peaks of countries worldwide.
His latest climbs in Europe saw him conquer Gerlach in Slovakia at 2655 metres, Rysy in Poland at 2499 metres, and Sněžka in Czech Republic at 1603 metres.
Alongside tackling the three European peaks on his latest trip, he climbed a further 15 mountains, 11 of which were over 2000 metres in height, and fives caves along the way.
It was also an extra special trip for Frankie’s mum Basia, who grew up in Poland and had always dreamed of climbing in the Tatra Mountains.
Frankie’s mum, Basia said: “I remember looking at the Tatras and hearing about them and thinking those are the places I would never go, without proper mountaineering experience.
“When we were sitting at the top and I said to Frankie I can’t believe I’m sitting here and that it’s with you and that you are a nine year old!
“Always in my imagination it was something I would do, it was something that was only for experienced people and now we are sitting here together.”
The trip saw the pair take on some their most technical climbs to date including Mnich – a 2068 metre mountain in the Tatra Mountains where the top is only accessible to experienced mountaineers who have to climb a vertical rock tower wearing ropes, harnesses and helmets to get there.
It took the pair 12 hours to successfully climb and descend Rysy in Poland – one of the toughest mountains of the trip – and they also tackled the most difficult route climbing from the Polish side rather than the Slovakian side and involved via ferrata.
But Basia said it was the pair’s growing confidence and experience as a team that helped them to success.
She added: “I was thinking to myself when we were going up Rysy and other mountains as well before we went, that I’m so glad that I can take him with me and feel comfortable.
“I don’t have to hold the back of his jacket on a rockside and be scared he’s going to fall, if anything, he is more comfortable and confident than me.
“He’s nine now, and he started walking up the mountains at three, so that’s most of his life. But we can both enjoy it even more now because I know he’s stable and experienced.”
The tallest mountain the duo climbed on the trip, Gerlach, in Slovakia – which is nearly three times taller than Scafell Pike – is so technical the trailhead is patrolled by guards to make sure unprepared tourists do not try to climb it.
Basia said it was also the hardest technical climb the pair have done to date.
She added: “It was the most technical we did and only climbers go up there with guides. Slovakian guards patrol the area very often to check people have permits to climb and are with guides and if they’re not it’s a very very high ticket fee.
“So it’s difficult and inaccessible really, but they just want to avoid accidents happening there. After 50 minutes of walking, straight away we had to put the harnesses on and we were roped up the whole time we were up there.
“But it was brilliant and very exhilarating and Frankie just loved it.”
Frankie and Basia also had to be wary of bears during their treks and had to do several very early morning wake ups to tackle the mountains in good time.
But the pair loved it so much – they’re already planning their next adventure.
She said: “We are already planning next summer’s peaks, but the problem with European peaks is that it’s only the summer season you can go, you can’t go in the winter because of the weather.
“In places like Slovakia there are laws in place where you can only climb during certain months to give animals and plants space to flourish, so we have to work around these things.
“A lot of parents can’t wait for their children to go back to school, but I count down the days to the summer holidays because I know we’ll have a great time!”
Frankie has also been working on his National Indoor Climbing Award Schemes and is now a Level 3 – which is classed as instructor level, and at 16, can count towards GCSEs.
The youngster has also recently been signed by talent agency Athlete Media Group – which celebrates top sporting role models from a range of sporting backgrounds, helps them grow and access new opportunities including sponsors and brand deals.
Frankie is part of the agency’s group of pioneer athletes – who all align with a different aspect of their United Nations’ international Sustainable Development Goals campaign.
Frankie has been aligned with the good health and wellbeing goal thanks to his passion for getting outdoors and moving, doing what makes you feel good and chasing dreams.
It’s a chance for Frankie to appear on a national stage – and he’s the only child the agency supports.
Basia said: “The fact he has been invited to join the agency is not only going to open up so many opportunities for him, grow his enormous potential. But also give the opportunity to do good and promote good health and wellbeing.
“And what’s more it will promote Cumbria and our region nationally having a local athlete involved in bigger campaigns and actions.”
You can keep up with Frankie and Basia’s adventures on social media here.
