This Brave El Paso Woman Tells Her Story on Conquering Mt Everest

Living in El Paso, Texas, we have some incredible mountains & trails to climb but everyone will agree that a mountain like Mount Everest is something else ENTIRELY. Just climbing that mountain is an enormous feat, but making it to the TOP...that's an amazing feeling. Recently an El Paso woman climbed all the way to the top of Mt Everest & I was blessed to ask her how she did it.

Who was the El Pasoan who climbed Mt. Everest?

The Americas High School alumni Kayla Perez lived in El Paso for most of her life; she now lives in Las Vegas and works as a flight attendant for private aircraft. Kayla is also an experienced climber who has climbed some of the highest mountains in the United States, Mexico & South America. After that, she set her eyes on a new challenge: Mount Everest located in the Himalayas.

Now when someone is gonna conquer a mountain like Mt. Everest, you have to train & prepare...a lot. So how did she do it? That's what I wanted to know and THIS is how she did it...

"Conquering my fear of heights has always been a challenge for me. To overcome this fear, I decided to embark on a journey of rock climbing and mountaineering...Watching the documentary "14 Peaks" featuring Nims Purja's remarkable achievements inspired me to join his team in the Himalayas."

"Despite facing setbacks such as high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) during my initial expeditions, I returned to the Himalayas determined to overcome new challenges. Battling conditions like Raynaud's disease, which increases susceptibility to frostbite, added another layer of difficulty. Enduring extreme temperatures well below freezing required mental fortitude in addition to physical preparedness."

"Spending approximately two months on the mountain tested not only my physical endurance but also my mental strength. Despite being part of a group of 20 climbers, I often found myself isolated due to altitude sickness and lung infections. This isolation provided ample time for introspection and self-motivation, with interactions with Sherpas serving as a source of morale and humor."

Despite the harsh conditions & the health issues, Kayla & her team made it to the top.

When I asked her, "how did you feel when you finally reached the top?", Kayla was, of course, overwhelmed with emotion.

"Reaching the summit and planting my flag was a moment of overwhelming joy, relief, and exhaustion. The journey to the top was filled with physical and emotional challenges, but the sense of accomplishment and the realization of my newfound potential made it all worthwhile. This experience reinforced my belief in setting ambitious goals, envisioning new possibilities, and pursuing dreams for the future. This is only the start of my Journey"

This is truly a remarkable story of overcoming HUGE obstacles. It wasn't easy, but Kayla did it. She even gave her words of encouragement for those who have their own obstacles in life: "If you dream of standing on top of the world, of pushing yourself to your limits...then let nothing hold you back". And yes, that includes if you, yourself, want to conquer Mt. Everest.

However...before you decide to book that trip to Everest, Kayla was also quick to point this out too:

"Climbing Everest is not for the faint of heart. It requires physical strength, mental endurance, and unwavering determination. Train hard, prepare yourself both mentally and physically, and never underestimate the power of the mountain.

Listen to your guides, follow their instructions, and respect the mountain at all times. The mountain is a force to be reckoned with, and only those who approach it with humility and respect will reach the summit.

And most importantly, never lose sight of your goal. When the going gets tough, when the mountain seems insurmountable, remember why you started this journey in the first place. Keep pushing forward, one step at a time, and never give up on your dream of conquering Everest.

So go forth with courage, with determination, and with a heart full of passion. The summit of Everest awaits, and with the right mindset and preparation, you can achieve the impossible. Climb on, brave soul, and may your journey be filled with triumph and glory".

I know that must've been quite a journey for Kayla & her team so congratulations to EVERYONE for conquering Mount Everest. We wish you amazing luck on your future climbs & thank you for climbing on behalf of El Paso.

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