One year after an avalanche killed 16 Nepalese Sherpas, 30-year-old Melissa Arnot hopes to become the first American woman to reach the top of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, and without using a Sherpa as porter.
She tells Here & Now’s Robin Young that “walking away at this really critical time would be somewhat irresponsible,” and she can “help usher Everest into a more sustainable climb” by “giving something to this place, and not just taking.”
In 2012, Arnot and a fellow climber founded The Juniper Fund, to provide five years of living expenses to the families of Sherpas who die guiding climbers to the summit.
Guest
- Melissa Arnot, professional mountain guide. She tweets @MelissaArnot.
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