A former banker has revealed how she went about summiting K2, one of the world’s most dangerous mountains.
Vanessa O’Brien, who’s British-American, spoke to MailOnline Travel on her return to New York from the expedition in Pakistan. She said that she ‘truly believes’ much of the challenge is mental rather than physical and it is essential to ‘keep a strong focus’ while battling the elements.
During her July trek up the 8,611m stack – which has a notoriously high fatality rate – the 52-year-old experienced deep snows, the sight of dead bodies, winds of more than 30mph and temperatures below minus 40 degrees Celsius. She also couldn’t shower for five days and feasted on baby food as things such as protein bars froze solid.
A long way up: The first British-American woman to summit one of the world’s most dangerous mountains, K2, has revealed how she went about tackling the grueling peak
Mind over matter: Speaking to MailOnline Travel on her return from the expedition in Pakistan, Vanessa O’Brien said that she ‘truly believes’ much of the challenge is mental rather than physical (above, pictured scaling one of the slopes on K2)
It was O’Brien’s third attempt of the peak, after being unsuccessful in 2015 and 2016 when an avalanche buried all of her equipment and strong winds forced her team to return to base camp.
This time around, she was determined to get to the top, using all of her grit and determination.
Along with a strong mind, the avid adventurer says having the right kit is another key to success.
K2 requires the usual mix of hardcore mountaineering gear including crampons, a helmet, ice axe, harness and a high-altitude climbing suit.
But O’Brien says there are a few other things in her backpack that helped during her ascent, including a Shewee-like device.
She explained: ‘The first is a handheld ultraviolet water purifier like the Steripen Adventurer Opti.
Never give up: O’Brien’s July attempt was her third, after being unsuccessful in 2015 and 2016 when an avalanche buried all of her equipment and strong winds forced her team to return to base camp
The conditions on K2 are renowned for being brutal with high winds, poor visibility and freak avalanches
Above the clouds: K2, the second highest mountain in the world, boasts magnificent views over the snowy peaks of Pakistan. The above shot was taken from the summit
‘Just zap one litre of water and dramatically reduce any contamination and most importantly any risk of upset stomach or diarrhoea that could destroy a summit bid.
‘For woman, I would say a FUD (female urinating device) is essential to pee kneeling or standing up.
‘You will want one in your tent at night and for summit day when you can’t remove a summit suit.
‘You don’t want to risk dehydration because of a “pee dilemma”. I’ve probably tried them all, but my favourite so far is a brand called Freshette.’
What climbing K2 meant to me was that my instincts were right – I can’t give up. It’s a great lesson in determination, perseverance and focus
Wet wipes also came in handy after not showering for five days.
O’Brien said she discovered a ‘lifesaver product’ called Action Wipes, which were made with natural essential oils.
When it came to food, O’Brien said at base camp – 5,650 metres – balanced meals were rustled up by two ‘amazing’ cooks, one Nepalese and one Pakistani.
However, as she climbed higher she found her appetite diminished, which is a normal thing to happen at high altitude as the air thins.
In a bid to keep her energy levels up, O’Brien said she forced down soup, noodles and spoonfuls of rice.
She added: ‘My K2 climbing mate this year from Iceland, John Snorri Sigurjónsson, brought baby food in a squeezable tube which I thought was clever.’
For the summit bid, which is a long 16 hour ascent and descent, O’Brien said she packed herself off with energy chews and gels that were easy to digest while on the move.
Finally, after years of planning, the Michigan native made it to the top of K2 on July 28.
For climbers, K2 is considered particularly difficult. O’Brien, who conquered Everest in 2010, said she thinks her ascent and descent at K2 was more challenging
Summing up what it felt like after achieving her goal, O’Brien said: ‘What climbing K2 meant to me was that my instincts were right – I can’t give up, and I can’t let others tell me it is over until I say it is over. It’s a great lesson in determination, perseverance and focus’
Girl power: O’Brien at the top of K2 (left) and with Kari Røstad, the first Norwegian to climb Broad Peak this year and Dong Honguan from China, the 19th woman to climb K2 (right)
Summing up what it felt like after achieving her goal, she said: ‘Three years of attempting something that did not come easy. There were plenty of people standing on the sidelines waiting for me to fail. And I was starting to sound like the boy (i.e., girl) who cried wolf – “I’m going to do it this time, really!”
‘What climbing K2 meant to me was that my instincts were right – I can’t give up, and I can’t let others tell me it is over until I say it is over. It’s a great lesson in determination, perseverance and focus.
‘And of course, taking risks. But there were never any guarantees.’
It is yet another inspiring achievement under O’Brien’s belt.
In March 2013, she became a Guinness World Record Holder as the fastest female to climb the Seven Summits.
The summits can vary but are a combination of nine, Everest, in Nepal, Aconcagua, in Argentina, Denali, in Alaska, Kilimanjaro, in Africa, Elbrus, in Russia, Vinson, in Antarctica, Carstensz Pyramid, in New Guinea, Mont Blanc, in France and Mount Kosciusko, in Australia.
She’s also the quickest woman to complete the Explorers Grand Slam of reaching the last degree of both the North and South Poles.
Sticking together: K2 requires strong teamwork with climbers constantly checking in on each other to look for signs of exhaustion, dehydration or hypothermia
O’Brien, along with an international team of 12 climbers, summited K2 on July 28 despite bad weather
Along with being the first British-American woman to summit K2, she is also the 20th woman in the world to reach the top.
The expeditions can be very expensive with some topping £50,000 but O’Brien, who does not have children, says she and her husband Jonathan cut back by not taking holidays and living frugally.
So after conquering a big item on her checklist, what next for O’Brien?
The determined blonde mused: ‘That’s a tough one! It’s a BIG world out there.
‘First, I would love to visit the Marianas Trench – deeper than Everest is high at 36,000 feet.
‘This would be a dream come true, but first I would have to find a submersible up for the job.
‘I watched from afar as HMS Terror and Erebus were recently found in the Arctic, leaving me wondering if the ship’s bell from Shackleton’s Endurance could ever be retrieved from the Antarctic. It would be a great experience to be part of a team that would contribute to history.
‘I wouldn’t mind seeing the Karman line at an altitude of 100km – I’m not sure who is winning the commercial space race.
‘But all of these are very expensive endeavours so I am merely throwing my wish list out to the universe to see what it sends back!’