UAE resident eyes new record

For Dubai resident Leanna Shuttleworth, who recently made records for being the youngest British woman to successfully reach Antarctica's highest peak, there's no time to wait. The 18-year-old had just arrived from her trip to Vinson Massif, Antarctica's highest mountain at 4,897 metres, and is already eyeing another trip in April — a back-to-back climb of Mt. Everest and Mt Lhotse in 24 hours. Both mountains stand more than 8,000 metres above ground. While preparing for her next expedition, Shuttleworth spoke to Gulf News about her passion for climbing. "I discovered it when I was very young, 13, then I decided to carry on. Why wait?" Shuttleworth, who is now the youngest British woman to scale the highest mountains on three continents: North America, South America and the Antarctic, said. "The scenery excites me the whole time." Challenges facing her Article continues below On her latest feat in the South Pole, Shuttleworth said the view was brilliant, but they could not stay long at the peak because the temperature reached -58 Celsius. "It was the most magnificent sight. I was really relieved to get to the summit after long days of climbing," she said. "But, it was really cold. We only stayed there for 10 minutes, but the actual climb took four days." Having climbed six of the ‘Seven Summits' or the seven tallest mountains on all seven continents, Mt. Everest is the last peak left. Shuttleworth climbed all these peaks with her father, Mark. "It's brilliant to get the time to spend together. Climbing has become a bonding for us," she said, adding that her family is always outdoors and engages in sports during holidays. Shuttleworth said people always wish to accomplish what she has done. "Everyone has dreams. Most people just dream, without doing anything about it. I wish people would just go and do it," she added. The British teenager, who has been living in Dubai for six years, got the help of Huawei, Mashreq Bank and Emirates Airlines in her previous expedition. They will continue to support her as she attempts her final challenge this summer.