Despite her determined efforts, in late May, doctoral student Shaunna Burke, 28, abandoned her quest to become the second Canadian woman to reach the top of the world’s highest mountain. Gale-force winds just 850 vertical metres from the peak of Mount Everest forced the decision, says a report published in the Ottawa Citizen.
After 45 days working her way up the mountain with her team, Burke spent three days in the “death zone” hoping for an opportunity that never materialized. Sherpas who were accompanying her decided that the risk was too great and called off the climb. The student’s quest was part of her thesis research on the psychological and emotional factors that could influence the performance of climbers in the face of obstacles.
