6312'Main St, Stounvme "Across from the Clock Tower†mvenienm arthau Jewellers WW)“ Donna After one year m I Cambodia and India A quick flight from Kathman the small mountain villa e of 1; rating adventure. \Mth t ee w in the Himalayas, l was as fresh of stilettos. Those stilettos quickly turned into muddy hiking boots. As we gained altitude, the effects be an to show. My team and l experi~ enced headaches, nausea and t e favourite amongst all trekkers and climbers, gasping for air in the night. Our bodies began to fight the lack of en and made sure that we knew it. After ays of trekking, we reached Mt. Everest Base Camp. Everything about it was amazing. From the way we were feeling due to the high altitude (5,400m), to the scenery and the knowledge of where we were. I began to think of myself as a fearless climber ready to take on the summit. I searched for a satellite phone to make a quick call to Sir Edmund Hillary for some pointers. Hmmver. 1 had to remind myself that I had slightly less experience Hawveverxl had to remind m self that I h and didn’t actually know H_i ary himself Two more day’s of trekking. and we rea mountain that we Would attempt to summit am. under the stars and moonlight. We ali lamps and began our slow and steady ascent It 6212 Main 1 rom Kathmandu and a blood pumping landing in m villa e of Lukla started me on the most exhila- VVlth t ee weeks ahead of trekking and climbing I was as fresh as a daisy and as clean as a new pair ma, and thxee months travelling in Thailand, the time for my Nepal adventure had ï¬nally Mt. Everest Base Camp and the summit of 3U us! I ~ndwe reached Island Peak, the to summit. Our climb began at 2 zht. We all clicked on our head- With the help of our Serda (the lead Sherpa), mg mm: unexpa, we crossed deep crevasses in a glacier and approached a 6!!) it. wall of ice and snow. Ang Nima told me that this was the way to the top. Had he confused me with Spider Man? My pants were blue and my boots did resemble a red colour... The rest of my team decided to pack it in and call it a day. The effects of the altitude had worn out their bodies and they needed to get down for some richer air. They cheered me on, and disappeared into the snow , -I-1 ulsu ‘- My guide June and I continued in our bid for the summit. The two of us buffed and puffed, taking one step at a time while con- atulating each other on being women. My legs were starting to eel suspiciously like logs and I'm certain that an elephant was sit- ting on my chest. Four steps made me breathless and left me pant- ting on my chest. rour Steps maae Inc Ulcauucaa auu .eu u... ya... ing for air. lune offered encouragement for me to get one more metre to the top. "Come on girl! You can do it!" My foot hit the summit. I couldn't believe it. I had made it. Gasping for air, exhausted legs, long days and cold conditions, I had reached my goal. Standing at 6,189m (20,305 ft), June and l scooped each other up in a hu and congratulated one another on our hard work. The sense 0 exhilaration was astounding. , As the on] member of my team to summit, it was an accom» plishment. 0 summit with another woman was fabulous. We were two dirty, sweaty women who hadn't showered for longer than I'd like to admit, standing on top of a mountain with the world below us. And they say girls can't play sports. DMKIHU Scrda (the 1: l (the lead Sherpa), Ang Nima Sherpa, a glacier and approached a 600 ft. wall told me that this was the way to the th Spider Man? My pants were blue