Summited

Summited is the past tense and past participle of the verb summit, meaning to reach the highest point of a mountain, hill, or crag. It is primarily used in mountaineering and outdoor adventure writing to denote the completion of a climb, as in statements about expeditions or climbing records. In everyday language, writers often prefer alternatives such as reach the summit or climb to the top, but summited remains common in climbing reports and sports journalism.

Usage and nuance: Summiting emphasizes the act of achieving the summit itself and is most frequently found in documentation of climbs. It is a regular verb, so the past tense is formed with -ed (summited). Some readers and editors regard it as more specialized or technical than broader expressions like “reached the top.” The choice between summiting and other expressions can affect tone: summited conveys a sense of accomplishment and climber-specific language, while alternatives may read as more general.

Etymology and form: The verb summit is a back-formation from the noun summit, which derives from Old French sommet and ultimately from Latin summus, meaning highest. The past tense summited follows standard English regular-verb conjugation.

Usage notes: While summited is correct in mountaineering contexts, it is less common outside climbing literature. In casual or general writing about high points, phrases such as “reached the summit,” “attained the top,” or “top out” may be more accessible. As with many specialized verbs, readers may encounter summited most frequently in expedition logs, climbing guides, and sports reporting.