Everest bid abandoned by Johannesburg's Saray Khumalo

25 May 2017 - 16:51 By TMG Digital
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NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH: Saray Khumalo training in the French Alps in November last year. She leaves tomorrow to take on Mount Everest
NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH: Saray Khumalo training in the French Alps in November last year. She leaves tomorrow to take on Mount Everest

It was third time unlikely for Saray Khumalo‚ who had hoped to plant the South African flag on Mount Everest to become the first black African woman to summit the world's highest mountain.

The Zambian born climber who lives in Johannesburg experienced difficulties when she climbed from the South Col (Camp 4) to the summit‚ her Facebook page said on Thursday. She was helped down the mountain by Asian Trekking.

"She was evacuated per helicopter earlier this morning to the hospital in Kathmandu where she is being treated for health issues due to exposure."

  • Saray's third Everest attempt blown off courseSaray Khumalo is determined to become the first black African woman to reach the top of Mount Everest, after her two previous attempts failed. 

Khumalo ran into difficulty earlier this week because of high winds near the summit and had begun the descent.

The 7 Summits with a Purpose Team said: "It did not happen this time round‚ but the cause to bring the gift of reading to children‚ continues".

She was fundraising for The Mandela Library Projects with the goal of building a library in the Hammanskraal area of Pretoria.

  • Joburg climber waits for break in weather in bid to summit Mount EverestClimber Saray Khumalo was forced by extreme weather to retreat on Wednesday to a lower camp on Mount Everest. 

Khumalo had hoped to summit this year‚ her third attempt. In 2014 her climb was abandoned when an avalanche killed 16 sherpa. Her attempt in 2015 was abandoned following a massive earthquake in Nepal.

The climbing season closes at the end of May.

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