The first time I stepped onto the summit plateau of Cho Oyu in Tibet was in 2007. It was my first 8000er, I was alone, without oxygen and no one else went to the summit that day. She either blessed or cursed me with an addiction for thin air above 8000m. From then on I carried a dream like a heavy backpack to summit all 14 of the world’s 8000m peaks without using supplemental oxygen.
On October 9th early in the morning I stood on her flat summit again. This time with my partner Mikel and his brother Nima. We shared an extreme moment together and we were also alone that day on the summit, the mountain to ourselves.
She kissed my left toes with grade 3 frostbite when my boot heater broke. I am not mad at her, it will heal in time. I fell in love again with the edge of life, she showed me there is more in me than I had met before.
For the first time ever I descended from the summit all the way back to Base Camp. The next day we woke up, packed up and walked out. I discovered a new level of strength and badassness inside me.
Thank you Cho Oyu for granting us safe passage and for activating new codes within me of bravery. You transformed my life and gave me a purpose and a passion 17 years ago. This time you showed me a higher, deeper purpose in my life. Turquoise Goddess, you are in my heart forever. I won’t let you down.
To all of you who support me and follow my journey, thank you.