PORTALINGTON\u2019S Fiona Boswell has conquered one of the most technically demanding trekking peaks in Nepal’s Everest region.
\nAlong with her guide \u201cLakpa Nuru Sherpa\u201d, Ms Boswell climbed 6,119 metres (20,075 feet) above sea level to Lobuche East Peak.
\n\u201cIt has been a goal of mine to climb over 6,000m in altitude as I have been over 5,000m four times and hiking is a passion of mine.
\n\u201cClimbing was actually a key component to getting to the top of Lobuche unlike other trekking routes I have been to, such as Mt Kilimanjaro.
\n\u201cWhere climbing was concerned, I was in good hands with my guide Lakpa, who like many other sherpas are the unsung heroes of expeditions such as this.\u201d
\nMs Boswell, Portarlington Golf Club\u2019s administration and marketing manager, said many mountaineering techniques were used during her ascent, including climbing, jumaring and abseiling.
\n\u201cI also must admit crampons were certainly a challenge for me as I hadn\u2019t found a training ground for them in downtown Portarlington where I live!\u201d
\nMs Boswell, who took off on September 27 and returned last week, said she began her climb at 2am in the morning and it wasn\u2019t long until they were two-foot-deep in snow.
\n\u201cAnd then imagine my surprise when we passed footprints in the snow that were from a snow leopard.
\n\u201cI was very happy that I didn\u2019t see it around camp earlier on in the evening.
\n\u201cOur ascent in the dark continued until sunrise whereby we were blessed with outstanding 360-degree views of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest \u2013 which felt like it was just within arm\u2019s reach.
\n\u201cAll too quickly it was around seven in the morning and time to head back to high camp at 5,400m.\u201d
\nShe said it was her fifth visit to Nepal but climbing alone was not her drawcard to the country, as there was plenty on offer without venturing to high altitude areas.
\n\u201cThe Nepalese culture, villages and people make it a country to put on your bucket list – dramatic mountain views come free!\u201d
\nIf you would like more information about heading to Nepal, email Ms Boswell at feehackel@hotmail.com or her trekking company Cold Feet Adventure, which is offering 5 per cent discount off treks for Bellarine Times readers.
\nContact Gopi at coldfeetadventure.com and mention \u201cFee Boswell\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PORTALINGTON\u2019S Fiona Boswell has conquered one of the most technically demanding trekking peaks in Nepal’s Everest region. Along with her guide \u201cLakpa Nuru Sherpa\u201d, Ms Boswell climbed 6,119 metres (20,075 feet) above sea level to Lobuche East Peak. \u201cIt has been a goal of mine to climb over 6,000m in altitude as I have been […]<\/p>\n