Dr Gabriella Nicola Nel successfully summited Mount Everest in May of this year, becoming the youngest South African to ever accomplish this feat.
South Africa (26 June 2023) – The St Andrew’s School for Girls took to Facebook recently to offer praise to Gabriella Nicola Nel, who became the youngest South African to summit Everest. Gabriella is a former student at the school and currently working as a medical doctor in Australia.
Her summit to the peak at 8848m, took place on the 17th of May 2023, just shortly after her 25th birthday. This accomplishment has meant she is now the youngest South African woman to summit the iconic mountain as well as the youngest medical doctor.
“Well done to Old Girl, Gabriella Nel (2016), who became the youngest South African and youngest medical doctor in the world to summit Everest. Gabriella successfully reached the 8848m peak at 09:35 on 17th of May, just 9 days after her 25th birthday. What an incredible achievement.”
Gabriella shared her journey with Makalu Adventures. She explained that they had a few hiccups along the way and she was affected by frostbite on her descent. The team arranged a medical rescue for her from camp three and she credits them for saving her life.
The frostbite affected both her hands and feet, with her right hand being classed as grade four and her left hand grades one and two.
Not deterred by how her adventure ended, Gabriella is committed to doing the climb again someday.
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