Bonita Norris: 'mental challenge'

Bonita Norris, heading for Ama Dablam

The youngest British woman to summit Everest is heading for the Himalaya again to tackle her third peak in the region.

Bonita Norris will attempt the ascent of Ama Dablam, the shapely mountain dubbed the ‘Matterhorn of the Himalaya’ next month.

Although more than 2,000m lower than Everest, Ama Dablam is a much more technical climb that promises to push the limits of the explorer, who was a novice mountaineer when at the age of 22 she successfully got to the top of the world’s highest peak with Kenton Cool in 2009.

There is debate over the height of Ama Dablam, with stated altitudes of between 6,812m (22,343ft) and 6,856m (22,488ft), but its towering mass dominates the Khumbu Valley in the region Nepal around Everest.

Ms Norris said: “I made a pact with myself last year that I would return to Khumbu to attempt Ama Dablam. Looking at it from afar it is simply a beautiful mountain and a great route requiring a fair amount of skill to climb.

“It also gives me a chance to return to Pangboche village and be reunited with my Sherpa team from Everest last year. They will be accompanying us up the mountain and I can’t wait to see them and climb with them again.”

The Karrimor-sponsored athlete plans to push for the summit between 15 and 20 November if the weather holds up, and will leave the UK to travel to Nepal on 29 October.

She said she sees Ama Dablam as a difficult challenge and has been training hard for the expedition. She added: “The summit is not guaranteed. This mountain requires good knowledge of mixed climbing conditions as it involves moving over rock, ice and snow.

“Exposure is also a big factor in this climb, though hopefully a year of traditional climbing on everything from mountain routes in the Lake District to icy couloirs in Scotland and precarious sea cliffs in Devon has prepared me for the steepness of the route and will help me control my nerves on the difficult sections.”

Earlier this year, the Berkshire athlete completed a trek to the North Pole.

Pete Gostling, marketing manager for sponsor Karrimor, said: “Bonita is a very ambitious young woman who is constantly on the lookout for new challenges and ways to up her game. Karrimor take great pleasure in supporting Bonita throughout her expeditions and we have every faith in her ability and determination to reach the summit of Ama Dablam and hope that she is blessed with good climbing conditions.”

Ms Norris said: “I am honoured to be climbing this mountain with the support of Karrimor and will be using my trusted Karrimor rucksack on the ascent.

“Everest was just the beginning for me and now I hope to continue my education in the hills and do Karrimor proud by becoming the best climber I can possibly be.”

The first successful ascent of Ama Dablam was accomplished by New Zealanders Mike Gill and Wally Romanes, Briton Mike Ward and Barry Bishop of the USA) in 1961. Its name translates as mother’s necklace.

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