Youngest woman conquers Himalayan peaks calls for safety boost
Adriana Brownlee, a British mountaineer, has made history. At just 23 years old, she achieved the Crown of the Himalayas and Karakoram, becoming the youngest woman to accomplish this feat. She has now shared her thoughts on safety in high mountains, primarily directing her warning at those who decide to climb the highest peaks in the world without sufficient experience.
12:08 PM EDT, October 18, 2024
Adriana Brownlee, who completed the ascent of 14 eight-thousanders in October, began her adventure with mountains in 2021. At the age of 20, she reached the summit of Mount Everest, opening the door to further challenges in the Himalayas and Karakoram. Despite her young age, by conquering the highest peaks in the world, she gained not only prestige but also valuable experience, which she now gladly shares with others.
A call for caution and safety in the mountains
The young mountaineer encourages people to pursue their dreams and take on challenges, but she appeals for caution and proper preparation. In a conversation with the media, Brownlee expressed concern over the increasing number of inexperienced climbers attempting to conquer eight-thousanders without prior training.
According to the mountaineering expert, a lack of preparation poses a threat to both the climbers themselves and their companions.
"I have seen many examples of people in the mountains that should not really be there, that should have more training beforehand. We have had to support them and have had to help with like small things like how to put on crampons, how to put on harness," reports Brownlee.
The need for changes in regulations
The Briton, who currently runs a company organizing high-altitude expeditions in Nepal, believes that the current regulations regarding climbing the highest peaks should be tightened. Currently, the only requirement is the climber's age—a minimum of 16 years.
Brownlee advocates for the authorities to introduce additional restrictions. One such restriction would require aspiring mountaineers to gain prior experience in lower mountains, allowing them to better prepare for the conditions at high altitudes.
Plans for the future
Brownlee's plans for the future do not end with achieving the Crown of the Himalayas and Karakoram. The young mountaineer intends to continue exploring unconquered peaks in Nepal, as well as other mountains around the world. She wants to inspire others, especially young people, to follow their passions.
"For me the message is that in life … you can take any path you like to reach your goal. That goal might be totally unique to you and it’s very important to keep at that and not to listen to the rest of society, what they have to say," she emphasizes.
