Seattle climbing guide Melissa Arnot just became the first American woman to climb, descend, and survive Mt. Everest without supplemental oxygen. And she used something we all have to achieve this feat.
“I'm pretty average athletically; I'm not elite in any way. I don't acclimatize better than the average person, but I do have incredible drive.”
She's summited Everest 5 times -- but the trip without oxygen was by far the toughest.
“One of the things that happens as your brain gets deprived of oxygen first, and your brain is where your motivation comes from: So your motivation to do this just goes away. You really have to focus and find that drive when it's really difficult."
This Eddie Bauer sponsored athlete is an activist in the climbing community -- in 2012 she co-founded the Juniper Fund, providing funds to the families of Sherpas killed while working on Everest.
She also climbed Kilimanjaro with Emile Hirsh, Jessica Biel, and other celebrities in 2012 to raise awareness about the world water supply. She says Justin Timberlake's better half is a natural climber:
“You know Jessica Biel was so incredibly strong on that trip, it was amazing; it was really cool. She couldn't ever sleep, though, so she would wake me up in the middle of the night to play scrabble.”
Arnot's latest project is the 50 Peaks Challenge, climbing 50 peaks in 50 states with a college senior she's mentoring. They're starting with Denali -- but Arnot says there are peaks to conquer everywhere.
"We do want to show people how accessible adventure is, in their state, no matter what state you live in.”
Despite being on the top of the world five times, and at the top of her game as a climber and guide -- the spot that holds a place in this climber's heart is right here at home.
"I've climbed Rainier 107 times, and I love it so much. I just think it's one of those magical places that has this great energy; it's beautiful, and it's challenging, and I really love sharing it with other people and guiding there."
