ISLAMABAD, June 13 (APP): Climber Vanessa O’Brien aims to
become the first American-British woman to ascend the K2, the
highest summit in the world.
Addressing a press conference here Monday, she said the six-member contingent, including her, were on self-sponsored expedition to summit the K2. The other climbers included Dukchung Lama, Jamling Bhote, Ang Chhiring Sherpa, Mingma Tenzi and Estalin Suarek, she said.
Vanessa said it would take almost six weeks to complete the venturs which started from Tuesday. She would be carrying the UN Women’s flag showing gender equality and women’s empowerment.
“Physical activity helps build self-confidence and individual empowerment, besides promoting good health,” she said.
Venessa said she received love and respect in Pakistan and while back home she would try to end misconceptions about the people, culture and security situation in Pakistan.
“Climbing K2 as the first-ever American and British woman would give me a platform to help remove those misconceptions,” she said.
She said she planned to carry Pakistani, American and British flags to the summit as a sign of solidarity, integration, friendship and respect for one another.
She said she saw the summit as continuation of the strong and enduring relationship between Pakistan, the UK and the US.
“I am thrilled to climb the world’s second highest peak (K2),”
she said.
Vanessa is the Guinness World Record holder for being the fastest
woman to climb the Seven Summits, the highest peak in every continent, in 295 days.
She is the fastest woman to complete the Explorers Grand Slam
(Seven Summits plus skiing the last degree to the North and South Poles) in 11 months, and one of only nine women to do so in the world. She is also the Honorary Ambassador of the US Nepal Climbers Association Inc. and Advisory Board Member for Thomson Safaris.
