The High-Altitude Journey of the World’s Most Famous Adventure Cat

The Seven Summits—comprising the highest peaks on each of the seven continents—is a feat of endurance, logistics, and sheer willpower. For Yosh and Simon, this three-year mission involves tackling Denali in North America, Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Aconcagua in South America, Mount Elbrus in Europe, Vinson Massif in Antarctica, Puncak Jaya in Oceania, and the crown jewel of the Himalayas, Mount Everest. This ambition is not merely about the "clout" of social media, where they command a combined audience of over 11 million followers across Instagram and TikTok; it is the culmination of a bond forged in the shadow of tragedy. In 2016, Simon was a rescue cat facing euthanasia before Yosh intervened. Today, he is a seasoned traveler who has logged over 100 flights, including seaplanes and helicopters, and has visited more than 15 countries across four continents.

To understand the magnitude of this undertaking, one must look at the specific challenges posed by high-altitude mountaineering for a domestic feline. While Yosh is a veteran of the outdoors, he is acutely aware that Simon’s physiology requires a different set of protocols. The "Death Zone" of Everest, located above 8,000 meters (26,247 feet), is a region where the atmospheric pressure is so low that there is insufficient oxygen for humans to breathe without supplementation for extended periods. "I’m definitely not taking Simon to the summit. I’m not risking his life," Yosh clarifies. For the Everest leg of the journey, Simon’s ceiling is Base Camp, situated at a staggering 17,598 feet. While this is lower than the peak, it is still significantly higher than any point in the contiguous United States, presenting its own set of acclimatization hurdles.

The preparation for such an expedition begins long before the duo reaches the Himalayas. Living in Boulder, Colorado, at an elevation of approximately 6,000 feet, provides a natural baseline for altitude conditioning. Their home, often referred to as "the house his cat built," is a mountainside retreat integrated into a rocky cliff, featuring indoor climbing walls designed for both human and feline use. From this base, Yosh has taken Simon on a dozen of Colorado’s "14ers"—peaks exceeding 14,000 feet. These excursions serve as critical field tests for gear and physical response. Simon doesn’t just ride in a pack; he is often seen perched on Yosh’s shoulders, navigating alpine trails with a sense of balance and calm that suggests he is as much at home on a ridgeline as he is on a living room sofa.

The logistics of the Seven Summits are further complicated by the international nature of the project. Traveling with a pet across multiple continents requires a mountain of paperwork. Simon possesses a U.S. identification card and an E.U. pet passport, which streamlines his entry into many European nations, but the specific health certificates required for countries like Nepal, Tanzania, and Argentina are exhaustive. Furthermore, Simon never travels in the cargo hold; he is a cabin passenger, a necessity for maintaining his stress levels and physical health during long-haul flights. Yosh has even curated a specialized wardrobe for Simon, featuring high-performance insulated jackets, paw protection for ice and snow, and a small-dog harness adapted for technical rope climbs.

Expert perspectives on high-altitude animal safety emphasize the importance of gradual exposure. Veterinary specialists note that while cats can adapt to altitude, they are susceptible to the same conditions as humans, such as High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) and Cerebral Edema (HACE). Yosh’s strategy involves constant monitoring and a willingness to abort the mission if Simon shows any signs of distress. On non-technical peaks like Kilimanjaro in Tanzania or Aconcagua in Argentina, which are essentially high-altitude treks rather than technical climbs, Simon may be permitted to go higher than base camp, but those decisions are made in real-time based on veterinary advice and Simon’s behavior. "If the answer is that it is too high for a cat, that is the end of it. He does not go," Yosh says firmly.

Beyond the physical and logistical feats, there is a profound psychological component to this journey. High-altitude mountaineering is an isolating and mentally taxing endeavor. For Yosh, Simon serves as more than just a companion; he is a vital emotional support animal. The "weight" of an expedition often manifests in the quiet moments—the long nights in a tent at sub-zero temperatures or the exhaustion following a grueling ascent. In these moments, Simon’s presence provides a "reset." The ritual of a cat curled up in a sleeping bag offers a sense of domestic normalcy in one of the most hostile environments on Earth. Yosh recalls a terrifying incident early in their partnership when Simon went missing for three days while Yosh was filming in Bolivia. The emotional toll of that event remains with him, reinforcing his commitment to Simon’s safety. "You have to be in a good mental place to climb a mountain, and I wouldn’t be if anything happened to him," he admits.

The broader context of their mission also highlights a growing cultural shift in the way society views "adventure pets." Historically, cats were seen as indoor-only companions or, at most, garden roamers. The "Backpacking Kitty" phenomenon has contributed to a global movement of "adventure cats," encouraging owners to safely explore the outdoors with their felines. This movement emphasizes the importance of harness training, environmental enrichment, and responsible pet ownership. Simon’s journey from a shelter in 2016 to the base of the world’s highest peaks serves as a powerful narrative for animal rescue and the potential for deep, unconventional bonds between species.

As they prepare for the upcoming legs of the Seven Summits, the duo faces a rigorous training schedule. While Yosh was recently undergoing crevasse rescue training on Mount Baker in Washington state, Simon was undergoing his own form of preparation—acclimatizing to the cold and the specialized gear he will need for the Vinson Massif in Antarctica. The Vinson expedition will be perhaps the most challenging from a logistical standpoint, requiring a flight to the frozen continent and survival in one of the world’s most extreme climates. Here, the gear—including heated carriers and ultra-insulated vests—will be the difference between a successful outing and a dangerous one.

Ultimately, the Seven Summits bid is a testament to a decade of trust. Simon’s comfort in these environments is not accidental; it is the result of years of positive reinforcement and shared experiences. Whether they are snowboarding in the Rockies or kayaking remote waterways, the communication between Yosh and Simon is intuitive. Simon’s excitement upon reaching a new destination—what Yosh describes as his "ready to go" attitude—suggests a feline who thrives on the stimulation of travel.

As the world watches through the lens of social media, the expedition of JJ Yosh and Backpacking Kitty continues to push the envelope of what is possible. It is a story of survival, from a rescue cage to the roof of the world, and a reminder that adventure is not defined by the species of the traveler, but by the spirit of the journey. In the coming years, as they move from the peaks of the Caucasus to the ice fields of Antarctica, the primary goal remains the same: to explore the world together, safely, and to return home to Boulder with a lifetime of stories that began with a single rescue. For Simon, the international adventuring cat of mystery, the Seven Summits is not just a list of mountains; it is the ultimate playground, and JJ Yosh is there to ensure he enjoys every step of the way.