Roger wrote:Does a sea to summit begin at the Coastline or does one travel up the many rivers to a point where boat travel ends then go on foot?
Is a sea to summit by fair means one that follows a road or by following the many paths of local tribes?
Does one carry all gear? Should a porter be used? Summit solo? Bring your own food or eat with villagers?
Are you going to paddle a kayak or canoe up the rivers? Or take a powered boat?
Are you going to ride a bike on the road, or walk, or take the bus?
Are you going to ride a bike on the local paths? Ride a pack animal? Walk, with a pack animal to carry your stuff? You could take a whole train of mules...you could ride a camel. If you are alone, riding a horse, is that "solo?" I honestly don't know.
I am a mere hiker, who aspires to someday climb "real mountains." But I don't even know what that means. I climbed six 14,000-foot peaks this summer. Are those real enough? Everything about CLIMBING IS SUBJECTIVE.
The point is that somebody is always going to second-guess your "style" or "ethics," and the greater your achievement, the greater the scorn from your peers. Climbing is inherently competitive for many people (obviously not all), but the competition is indirect. As many great climbers will admit, part of the competition merely has to do with storytelling, and when appropriate, shooting down the stories of others. Unfortunately, this leads to people being harsh and judgmental in instances where it is not at all warranted.
It sounds like you have an ambitious goal. Don't worry what anyone else thinks about your accomplishment, just plan it how YOU want to do it, and go try. If you make your plans based around the way others will judge your accomplishment, then your trip is already diminished, before you even begin...you will be sure to find yourself doing something, that you would prefer not to be doing...
edited for grammar