http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_379620.html
Women conquer Everest
By Grace Chua
(From left) Ms Ester Tan, Ms Lee Li Hui and Ms Jane Lee are the first Singaporean women to reach the peak of Everest. -- PHOTO:
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SINGAPORE'S first women's Everest team reached the top of the world early on Wednesday, after a night of hard climbing.
Ms Lee Li Hui, 27, Ms Esther Tan, 26, and Ms Jane Lee, 25, reached the summit of the world's tallest mountain respectively at 3.45am, 3.54am and 4.43am Nepalese time.
For the trio, who were among more than 60 people who reached the summit of the 8,850-m-high mountain on Wednesday, the climb marked the realisation of a five-year-old dream.
At Republic Polytechnic, where the two Ms Lees are members of the staff, colleagues and students could barely contain their pride and joy on Wednesday. Likewise, their families and boyfriends are also whooping it up.
For Li Hui's boyfriend Ted Hoong, the team's feat ends his days of worry for her safety. She had fed him a steady stream of text messages and e-mail to assure him she was fine. They were short, but he hung on to them because they meant a lot to him, he said.
Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports and team patron Vivian Balakrishnan called the feat 'a historic achievement for Singapore', saying: 'It takes courage, determination and excellent leadership and teamwork to scale the world's highest peak. They have once again demonstrated what our people can do against all odds when we set our minds to it.'
On their way up, the women were beset by stormy weather, low temperatures and narrowly escaped an avalanche.
Singapore adventurer Khoo Swee Chiow, 45, who has scaled Everest twice, said he is happy for the team, but that they now have to focus on getting back to base camp safely.
The country now looks to Friday, when a second team of Singapore women is expected to reach the summit. Last night, the duo - Ms Joanne Su, 39, and Ms Lee Peh Gee, 32 - were at 7,470m. A third team member, Ms Sim Yihui, 27, will not climb to the summit for reasons unknown.
By last night Singapore time, the first team's two Ms Lees were back at 6,500m, while Ms Tan was at 7,920 m. The steely women kept in touch with their supporters back home through their website. Ms Tan, who works in advertising and is cast as the group's writer, wrote: 'It is only when you put your life at risk, when you face death, that you realise what life means to you, what others mean to you.'
:p talk very big liao..
