Teen Climbs Everest - VOA Story

Americans have a new real-life, adventure hero to talk about -- a California teen who has climbed the world's highest peaks with her father.

Sir Edmund Hillary made the first successful summit of Mt. Everest on 29 May 1953. Today, Samantha Larson, 18, can say she has been there, too.

Larson on May 17 became the youngest American to reach the spectacular peak. "It was a beautiful day so the views were fantastic," she describes, "and it was an incredible feeling getting to the top."

After graduating from high school, the California native took a year off from school to train and accomplish the feat.

In doing so, she also became youngest person to climb the "seven summits," the tallest peaks on each continent. Her stepmother, Janet Moore says, "When we found on Wednesday night our time (May 16), the first feeling is, 'Fantastic! she's made it!"

Apparently it is not over yet for this climbing family. Even her younger sister, Emma, is planning a trip. "I'm climbing the first of the seven summits in 2009, Kilimanjaro. I'll be 10 years old," Emma plans on following in her big sister's steps.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Everest
• Mountain
• Climbing
• Samantha
• Larson

[4getfulness16]

Good on her! What an achievement!

[Lostkiwi123]

You forgot to mention Tenzing Norgay also made the first successful summit of Mt. Everest ;-) both are credited with the first successful summit

[PenaltyKillah]

This is a pretty astounding feat, but "A challenger appears" ;) Search "Jordan Romero"... you won't even believe his age, and what he's had already accomplished!

[TMuchDude]

Sponsers. Thats where the money comes from. You know, why do some people have to be so negative? Besides, who cares where the money comes from. Its nobodys biz!!

[ftheGOP]

If every 17 year had access to the money that would enable them to gallivant around the globe climbing mountains - they'd been on Everest too.

What makes her so special? BFD.

[hcarducci]

I'm almost a doctor! Maybe I will have enough to attempt this mountain, but not until I pay off my loans!

[boxsterwelby]

I think her father is a doctor.

[TheOak82]

Money gets you a spot in an expedition and supplies but no one caries you up the mountain, so I can't see how you can say "you can buy your way up". It's always a huge gamble to climb that high, some people drop dead in the basecamps.

And since this girl has been climbing since she was a little girl I'd think she's pretty darn good at it by now.

[ABCDEFR]

Forgive me, she has earned her right to be proud, it's an incredible feat for someone her age/size. But frankly, gra8fuldrew also has a point. Compared to some peaks (K2 anyone?), Everest is not that technical a climb. If you have the money, you can pretty much buy your way up nowadays. Still, it's an incredible thing to do in it's own right. Definitely many congratulations to this girl.

[hcarducci]

I'd like to know where she's getting all this money! Give me some!!! :)