Highs and lows of conquering Everest leave Hong Kong climber Vivian Ying Cai wondering if it was all worth it
- Cai was wowed by the beauty of being on top of the world, but questions the amount of help it took to get there
- Still reaching the death zone above 8,000m was not as enjoyable as she expected
Vivian Ying Cai reached the top of the world last month and said the views from Everest’s summit defied description.
The 33-year-old Hong Kong resident ticked off another of her climbing goals in May, but said she was not sure if the amount of help needed to complete the mission took away from the achievement.
Those making their way to the top do so with Sherpa’s, fixed lines and oxygen tanks, and Cai said there was a “lack of emotion” once she got there. It made her wonder if reaching the dangerous height above 8,000m where lack of oxygen can kill some climbers was even that enjoyable, or justifiable given the risk involved.
“I wanted to take pictures get this things done as soon as possible and go down,” Cai, who was born in mainland China, said.
Such was her guide’s belief that the emotion of the moment would reduce Cai to tears, he put US$100 on her doing so. It was a bet he lost.
Having reached the summit around 10am, which is late, Cai needed to get down as quickly as possible because she was cold and low on oxygen. However, she had a moment to reflect when she was just below the top, on the Hilary Step.
