Vicky Jack

Vicky is truly inspirational, the first Scots woman to climb the World Seven Summits without ceremony and very little publicity, until the summit of Everest on 16th May 2004. Vicky took seven years to climb the seven summits and all first attempts except Mount Everest with an unsuccessful first attempt in May 2003 when Vicky had to retreat close to the summit on the 50th anniversary of Hillary/Tenzing's first ascent. Vicky showed endurance, stamina and courage in the face of extreme adversity. Vicky was trapped in Antartica in a ferocious storm for 11 days. The shelter almost blown away in 120mph winds. She was under armed threat in Irian Jaya en route to Castenz Pyramid, then abandoned by guides on the descent of Castenz 3000ft rock face benighted to fend for herself and look after an English fellow climber who was overcome with exhaustion. On Vicky`s first attempt of Everest she reached the Hillary step but was forced to make an agonising retreat due to the jet stream dropping which brought storms. Oxygen ran out and a panic stricken sherpa abandoned Vicky at 28000 feet on the South Summit! Miraculously Vicky on her own and without oxygen managed to stagger down to the south col to Base Camp. Despite all adversity Vicky showed great courage to complete her Seven Summits challenge. She has inspired people of all ages and backgrounds in presentations and motivational talks of her incredible story and is truly an inspiration to all worthy of carrying the Olympic torch in 2012.