Advertisement

American Woman Hopes To Summit Everest Without Oxygen Canisters

05:47
Download Audio
Resume
Melissa Arnot posted this photo on Instagram of Mount Everest base camp with the note "Hard to imagine a more beautiful place." (Melissa Arnot)
Melissa Arnot posted this photo on Instagram of Mount Everest base camp with the note "Hard to imagine a more beautiful place." (Melissa Arnot)

One year after an avalanche killed 16 Nepalese Sherpas, 30-year-old Melissa Arnot hopes to become the first American woman to reach the top of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, and without using a Sherpa as porter.

She tells Here & Now's Robin Young that "walking away at this really critical time would be somewhat irresponsible," and she can "help usher Everest into a more sustainable climb" by "giving something to this place, and not just taking."

In 2012, Arnot and a fellow climber founded The Juniper Fund, to provide five years of living expenses to the families of Sherpas who die guiding climbers to the summit.

Guest

This segment aired on April 22, 2015.

Related

Advertisement

More from Here & Now

Listen Live
Close