Kid Climber Scales World's Highest Mountains

Jordan and Paul Romero celebrate Jordan's victory at Mount Kilimanjaro. Jordan Romero's father and his father's girlfriend accompany him on climbs.

(Courtesy of the Romero family)

'One Wrong Step'

Jordan said a lot of preparation goes into getting ready for the grueling climbs. At home in California, he runs uphill tugging a tire, sleeps in an acclimatizing tent in his bedroom and has learned all the technical skills needed to make these climbs.

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"There's no Sherpas up here, no sled dogs or anything like that. You carry your own stuff," he said. "That was hard, training for it. At first I thought, 'why am I doing this training?'"

"One wrong step is the last step you'll ever take," he said.

But it is precisely that thrill, combined with the discipline of mind and body that keeps him climbing mountains.