Forest Hills Woman Sets Sights On Climbing World's Seven Summits

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS — Forest Hills resident Patricia Alcivar is aiming high: She wants to become the first from Queens to scale the Seven Summits, the hiking "grand slam" that entails reaching the tallest peak in each of the world's continents.

Alcivar would be the first Queens resident and the first Latina to climb all seven peaks, joining an elite crew of about 350 who have achieved the feat, according to a news release.

Alcivar made her name as a boxer, becoming a two-time Golden Gloves champion as an amateur then competing professionally as "Patty Boom Boom."

“In both cases, it’s you against a tough opponent, and you have to find your inner strength to survive," Alcivar said.

She turned to mountain climbing after an opponent in a 2015 fight left her with a 6-inch gash she risked reopening if she kept boxing, according to the Queens Chronicle.

Since then, Alcivar has reached the top of three major mountains: Elbrus in Russia, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and the monumental 22,841-foot peak of Aconcagua in Argentina. (Mount Everest, the tallest of the Seven Summits, measures just over 29,000 feet.)

This summer she has her sights set on reaching the top of Denali in Alaska, which stretches more than 20,000 feet into the sky, and is raising money to fund the expedition.

"I’m not a millionaire or superathlete, but I believe that I was blessed with an indomitable spirit, and I love the challenge," she said. "Plus, I really want to inspire other women to chase their dreams.”