Dr Gabriella Nel, a 25-year-old from Johannesburg, recently became the youngest South African to summit Mount Everest and the youngest medical doctor to do so! Dr Nel’s former school, St Andrew’s School For Girls, shared the announcement in a Facebook post on Friday, writing:
‘Well done to Old Girl, Gabriella Nel (2016), who became the youngest South African and youngest medical doctor in the world to summit Everest. Gabriella reached the 8 848m peak at 09:35 on 17 May, nine days after her 25th birthday. What an incredible achievement!’
Picture: St Andrew’s School for Girls/Facebook
The school mentions that former student Cathy O’Dowd, who summited Everest from both the south and north sides, would be proud.
Dr Nel completed her challenge with the adventure company Makalu Adventure and Sherpas, Pherma and Mohan. In a video posted by Makalu Adventure, she says ‘it was an incredible experience’, despite the ‘hiccups’ she encountered during her ascent.
Picture: St Andrew’s School for Girls/Facebook
Dr Nel suffered frostbite on her hands but was promptly rescued from Base Camp 3 and is now recovering at home after her record-breaking summit.
‘I want to thank Sherpa Mohan and the Makalu Adventure team for organising a long line rescue from Base Camp 3, which is extremely difficult. I believe the company saved my life. Hopefully, I’ll be back.’
A version of this article first appeared on womanandhomemagazine.co.za and was written by Savanna Douglas.
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