Not many teenagers can say they’ve trekked to the base camp of Mount Everest, but Anna Holden certainly can.
Anna, a year 10 pupil from Abbey Gate College, spent part of last month on a charity fundraising trip in Nepal, where she went with her parents and some of her father’s work colleagues from Thomson Airways.
The group of 20 people first flew out to Kathmandu then took a light aircraft up the little mountain airstrip ay Lukla for their charity trek in aid of the Himalayan Trust.
The incredible feat took eight days to get to base camp, and out of the large group, Anna was the first to set off every day, despite the gruelling high altitude, staying at the front right up to the very end.
Of the 14 people aiming to reach Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar only eight including Anna managed to complete the challenge, with others succumbing to digestive disorders or altitude problems.
Anna’s energy and enthusiasm made a huge impression on leaders, especially as she never once complained about the cold, harsh conditions or lack of oxygen.
And thanks to her impressive attitude, Anna’s now managed to secure two job offers working with charities in the Nepal area during her gap year.
Not bad going for a teenager!
