AFTER trekking 1700 kilometres across Nepal's Great Himalaya Trail last year, adventurer, extreme-marathon runner and author Heather Hawkins is preparing to return to Nepal for her next adventure.
Hawkins will lead a 23-day circuit trek to Gokyo Lakes and Everest Base Camp to help raise funds and awareness for the Can Too Foundation for cancer research.
The Everest Can Too Challenge looks set to be another exciting chapter in Hawkins' extraordinary life.
She fought life-threatening ovarian cancer in her early 40s and five years later she has 17 marathons and three ultra marathons under her belt, including the North Pole Marathon (female winner), and the extraordinary World Marathon Challenge - a gruelling seven marathons in seven days on seven continents.
Highlights of the Heather Hawkins Everest Can Too Challenge include crossing the Cho La Pass and climbs of Gokyo Ri and Kala Pattar, enjoying magnificent views of Mount Everest as well as Kanchenjunga in the east and the Tibetan 8000-metre peak Cho Oyu to the north.
There will be a visit to the village of Namche Bazaar, the "sherpa capital of Nepal", an overnight stay in Khumjung (where Sir Edmund Hillary built his "schoolhouse in the clouds") and a day visit to Thyangboche Monastery.
The fully supported camping-based trek departs Kathmandu on October 17 and costs from $4960 per person (twin share) including international airfares from major Australian airports.
Participants are also required to raise a minimum $3000 for the Can Too Foundation.
1300-720-000, www.humacharitychallenge.com
- Heather Hawkins' battle with cancer and her incredible achievements are detailed in her autobiography, Adventurous Spirit, out this month. Published by Murdoch Books it is available for pre-order online at Booktopia and will be available in Dymock's book stores from early September.
