Mom, Daughter Bonding at Top of World

Posted May 24, 2008, 11:27 pm in Extreme by Growing Bolder


Wow! Talk about taking mother-daughter bonding to a whole new level. Australian Cheryl Bart and her 23-year-old daughter Nikki have reached the top of the world and made history.

On Saturday, after nearly two grueling months, the duo reached the summit of Mount Everest. Along the way, they had to contend with wicked weather, harsh side effects on their bodies and tight security surrounding the ascent of the Olympic torch.

Nikki summited at 4:36 a.m. Kathmandu time, and her mother followed 14 minutes later, according to their Web site Oz Chicks With Altitude.

"I'm on top of the world," Cheryl radioed back to base camp as she reached the summit. "The sun is just rising and it's just the most glorious spectacle ever, any time."

Their journey up the 29,035-foot mountain began on April 1.

The site claims that not only are they the first mother-daughter team to reach the world's highest peak, but they are also the first mom and daughter to complete the Seven Summits -- climbing the tallest peaks on the seven continents.

You go, girls! We can't wait to see how you Grow Bolder next!

If you're looking for your next mother-daughter adventure, click here to check out our conversation with Rosemary Taugher, who is on a 40,000-mile, 40-country bike ride with her daughter.

Or maybe you've caught the Everest bug? Check out Growing Bolder's conversations with these other Everest pioneers:

-- Sean Swarner is a two-time cancer survivor with only one functioning lung. Fifteen years after doctors gave him two weeks to live, he reached the top of Mount Everest. He talked to Growing Bolder about how he helps other cancer survivors fulfill their dreams through his group, the Cancer Climber Association. Click here to listen to our conversation.

-- Stacy Allison lived to tell the tale of becoming the first American woman to reach the summit of the world's highest mountain but it took her a couple tries to achieve her goal. In 1988, after 29 days on the mountain, she finally reached that lofty milestone. She told Growing Bolder that her first attempt left her trapped in a snow cave at 29,500 feet for five days following a record-setting storm. Click here to listen to our conversation.

-- Ken Mitchell was a linebacker with Atlanta Falcons, a catcher in the California Angels organization, played basketball in college and raced motorcycles. After his pro career ended, he got involved in competitive triathlons and mountain climbing. But after a lifetime of athletics, he had both knees replaced. He thought his climbing days were over but his nine kids convinced him otherwise. Click here to listen to his description of his amazing journey to the top of Mount Everest.

© 2006-2009. Growing Bolder Media Group. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.