Bonita Norris

My name is Bonita Norris, and I am 22 years old.

I am a disability assistant from Berkshire who currently holds two mountaineering records.

On the morning of 17 May 2010 I became the youngest British woman to climb to the top of Everest.

One morning, in 2008, I woke up with a crazy idea- the kind of idea you dismiss as a pipe dream. The kind of idea that you feel embarrassed to have even considered yourself able to put into action.

But it stuck- my idea was to climb Everest in its spring season of 2010, and raise a shed load of cash for charity along the way. I had less than 2 years to get ready, and a slight issue of finding £50,000 to cover the costs of such a trip!

It seems crazy looking back, but with a little determination I was soon heading out to the Alps and getting sponsorship in place to cover these huge costs. Despite many people telling me that I couldn’t do it, I knew I could prove them wrong- I just had to get onto a big peak and put my training into action.

By the skin of my teeth, in August 2009 I was flying to Nepal to attempt to climb the world’s 8th highest mountain- at only 645m shorter than Everest, Manaslu, for me, was a ‘baptism of fire’.

I learnt that mountaineering is definitely mind over matter- it was the hardest thing I had ever done, but also with the greatest achievement- I am the youngest woman to have climbed the peak, and was the youngest climber on the mountain by many years.

So by simply waking up one morning and daring to put my dream action, I have been on the most incredible journey: I’ve looked down from one of the highest points on earth and watched the sunrise over the mountains below. I’ve spoken to my mum on a sat phone and described to her how I could see shooting stars zooming across the Himalayan night sky. I’ve met countless people, in the UK, in France and in Nepal- some have become friends for life.

There have been highs and many lows- and many moments of self-doubt. I’ve been told time and time again that I couldn’t do ‘this’. So whilst I don’t know what is in store for me on Everest this spring, I do not regret for one second taking that chance- whether I summit or not, this journey has been the most incredible two years of my life.

So my message is simple:

Never, ever stop believing in yourself. You never know where you might end up.

Thanks for reading,

Bonita

On the descent Bonita damaged her shoulder. She managed to walk down to the balcony (8,500m) with her team mate and then received sherpa assistance, which she believes saved her life. She was well enough to walk back into summit camp that night after receiving medication and then walk to basecamp over the next two days.

On returning to base camp, Bonita became the youngest British woman to climb Everest and one of the youngest women in history to have stood on top of the world. She wanted to inspire young kids and teens to broaden their own horizons and take on a challenge in the outdoors.

Since returning from Everest Bonita has been made an ambassador for the Global Angels Foundation. Alongside her sponsor, Mobile phone top-up at an ATM. Bonita raised over £13,000 for the children’s charity. She has also been made the face of the Nissan juke car and continues to represent Mobile Phone Top-Up at ATM.

Bonita is now asked to talk to corporations, schools and charities about her experiences of being an average girl who took on a big challenge, and didn't give up on a seemingly impossible goal.

Her current project is seeking sponsorship for an expedition to the South Pole in the Antarctic season of 2011/2012. Her team aim to leave from the true coast of Antarctica and ski unassisted to the Pole, arriving in January 2012. This record breaking expedition, to the coldest place on earth, will coincide with the centenary of the South Pole first being reached.