India Breaking News reported Hong Kong Climber Vivian Ying Cai Summits Mount Everest, achieving one of her climbing ambitions. Upon reaching the summit, the 33-year-old expressed mixed feelings about the experience, questioning whether the extensive assistance required to reach the peak detracted from its value.

Hong Kong climbs Mount Everest

Cai described the view from Everest’s summit as beyond words. Yet, she noted that the joy she anticipated was muted upon reaching the peak, influenced by the extensive use of sherpas, fixed ropes, and oxygen tanks necessary for the climb. This reliance on support made her reflect on the true essence of mountaineering.

During her ascent, reaching altitudes above 8,000 meters in what is known as the Death Zone, Cai began to question the worth of such dangerous endeavors, especially considering the potentially fatal thin air. “I wanted to take pictures, complete the climb, and descend quickly,” she said. Despite her guide betting $100 that she would be overwhelmed with emotion at the summit, Cai did not shed a tear, proving the guide wrong.

Climber Vivian Ying Cai from Hong Kong climbs Mount Everest

Cai reached the peak around 10 a.m., feeling the urgent need to descend due to the cold and low oxygen levels. However, standing on the Hillary Step, she took a moment to truly absorb her surroundings. “It’s a surreal experience to stand atop a mountain and see nothing higher than you. It’s indescribably beautiful and unique,” she remarked.

Despite the beauty, Cai is now certain she does not wish to tackle any more peaks over 8,000 meters. She expressed concerns over the commercialization of high-altitude climbing, which often involves prepared ropes and supplemental oxygen. These elements, she feels, dilute the purity of the mountaineering experience.

Cai also witnessed the harsh realities of high-altitude climbing, including the death of a fellow Chinese climber during her descent, which reinforced her decision to avoid such extreme altitudes in the future. Nonetheless, the expedition was not without its rewards. “I made some great friends, diverse and interesting, and gained new perspectives on climbing,” she reflected.

Looking forward, Cai aims to complete the 7+2 goal, which involves climbing the highest peaks on each continent and visiting both poles, although she now knows she will steer clear of the highest and most perilous mountains.