Three women from Bethal take on Mount Everest

A lifelong dream for Brenda Human (53) came true when she and locals, Annika van Schalkwyk (27) and Nita Jansen van Rensburg (44), climbed Mount Everest Base Camp.

The three women’s quest to climb Mount Everest Base Camp began on March 14 and would see them hike for 13 days in dangerous, life-threatening terrains.

It was also a journey that brought three acquaintances together and would form a special bond and lifelong friendship.

Both Brenda and Annika work for Jim van Tonder School.

Although they are colleagues, there was no solid connection between the two, until September last year when Brenda had mentioned she was going to attempt Mount Everest. She asked Annika if she would like to join to which Annika replied yes.

To get fit for the greatest quest, Brenda did aerobics classes with Nita, who is an aerobics instructor. She asked Nita if she would like to join and the very next day Nita replied with a yes.

Neither one of the women have ever attempted something like this. For them, it was ‘go big or go home’.

The women’s quest at Mount Everest began the moment they were given extra gear and a brief that took about three hours on the do’s and don’ts and what they could expect on each day of the 13-day journey.

They then landed at Lukla Airport in Khumbu Passanglhamu.

The maximum weight for backpacks was 10kg’s per person. Only essential clothing, a sleeping bag and the bare minimum of toiletries were allowed.

They were assigned two porters and a guide, who guided them on the track throughout their 13-day journey.

“The Drakensberg looks like an ant, Table Mountain is like a grain of sand in comparison to this. It was intimidating. I began to worry and thought I did not train enough. There was no turning back, we were there and we were going to do this,” said Brenda.

The moment they met up with their porters and guide at the airport, their first hike began immediately and took them five hours from the airport to the first teahouse stop.

“We decided at the start to take it slow and enjoy every moment of this experience and scenery,” said Brenda.

Their diet consisted mostly of carbs and plenty of water. They had to take Diamox twice daily to prevent altitude sickness.

“To keep clean was a hassle. The first two days teahouses had showers and toilets. From there on for the next 10 days, our toilets were literally a hole in the ground, a bin next to it for toilet paper and not a single shower. We only had wet wipes to clean ourselves,” said Brenda.

She said the higher they climbed the colder it would get. Although the days were comfortably warm, nights were freezing. So much so that they would sleep with every single clothing item, even though they began to smell.

The women had to overcome their fears of heights by attempting Mount Everest’s highest suspension bridge, the Edmund Hillary.

“The bridge continuously sways. Cattle or what locals call traffic, have the right of way on these bridges,” said Brenda.

Nita said at certain points they could feel the altitude hit them. Side effects of the high altitude were insomnia, loss of appetite and headaches.

“Our guide was excellent. He would tell us when to slow down and that we must drink water to stay hydrated. Our safety was in their best interest and they took great care of us, all the way,” said Nita.

The women described nature and its terrains as interesting and challenging.

Their hike began through beautiful trees, flowers and animal life, but then suddenly the terrain changed to stone and gravel with huge rocks and steep mountains which the women had to walk and climb.

“At that level, there is no plant or animal life, just rocks. The oxygen levels are at 65%,” said Nita.

The women had reached the last village before heading towards Mount Everest Base Camp. Annika began feeling ill. By this time they were on day seven.

“I could feel my stomach was not well. I took tablets, continued to walk and made it to Base Camp, but I was not getting better. On day eight it just got worse,” said Annika.

A call was made to evacuate and airlift Annika on day nine to Kathmandu where an ambulance was waiting to take her to the hospital. She suffered acute mountain sickness.

“I am so thankful to our guide Badri. He treated me with care, told me what my options were and said the decision was ultimately mine.

“Everything was arranged for the helicopter and hospital by him. The hospital staff were waiting for me upon my arrival at the hospital as well as Prem Panta (Landmark Discovery Treks),” said Annika.

By this time they had hiked 5 364m and Nita and Brenda decided to continue.

On day 10, Nita and Brenda reached Cho La Pass at a height of 5 420m, higher than the Everest Base Camp.

“The rocks to climb were bigger than me. You have to grab, pull yourself up and hold on for dear life. And so we continued,” said Nita.

Brenda said it was exciting when they had reached the peak, however, the worst was yet to come, and that was going down.

“Going down was all loose rocks. Some areas had ropes but the challenge was the ice. It’s slippery and you slide, every step you have to concentrate,” said Brenda.

The two women made their way to the next teahouse and had a rest for an hour before attempting the Ngozumpa Glacier.

“We had to climb what would be the most scariest experience of our lives. We climbed up against mountains. You can not stop or take one wrong step, if you do you fall to your death,” said Brenda.

“We were on death’s doorstep. It was terrifying,” said Nita.

Both women said day 10 was the toughest they had experienced after hiking for 9 hours and 20 minutes.

The women can all relate to the saying “I go to the mountains to lose my mind and to find my soul”.

It was a life-changing experience for all three women who returned home appreciating the smallest things in life.

They also took away from the experience a deeper spiritual connection with God.

Annika said she would attempt Mount Everest Base Camp again and this time to finish Cho La Pass as well.