Dr Gabrielle Nel, a 25-year-old hailing from Johannesburg, recently became the youngest South African to summit Mount Everest, as well as the youngest medical doctor to do so!
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Gabrielle’s former school, St. Andrew’s School For Girls, shared the announcement in a Facebook post on Friday, writing:
‘Well done to Old Girl, Gabriella Nel (2016), who became the youngest South African and youngest medical doctor in the world to summit Everest. Gabriella successfully reached the 8848-metre peak at 09:35 on 17 May, just 9 days after her 25th birthday. What an incredible achievement.’
The school then goes on to mention that former student Cathy O’Dowd, who summited Everest from both the south and north sides, would be proud.
Dr Nel successfully completed Everest with the adventure company Makalu Adventure and Sherpas Pherma and Mohan. In a video posted by Makalu Adventure, Gabrielle says, ‘It was an incredible experience,’ despite some ‘hiccups’ she encountered on her way down from the summit.
‘We did have some hiccups in terms of getting frostbite on the way down from the summit.’
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Dr Nel suffered a case of frostbite on her hands but was promptly rescued from base camp 3 and is now recovering at home after a record-breaking summit. She says:
‘I want to thank Sherpa Mohan as well as the Makalu Adventure team for organising a long-line rescue from camp 3, which is extremely difficult. I believe that the company saved my life.’
‘With a successful summit for the season, which was a very dangerous season, I’d just like to thank everyone from Makalu Adventure, my Sherpas, Phurba and Mohan and the rest of the team.’
‘Hopefully, I will be back.’
According to an article published by SA People, Dr Nel’s mom, Karen Nel, says:
‘I am so proud of my daughter and her determination, perseverance and courage to reach for her dreams. Congratulations.’
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Picture: St Andrew’s School for Girls / Facebook
Words: Savanna Douglas / Woman & Home