Kiwi claims new first on Mt Everest
07 Oct 2008
In another Mount Everest first, New Zealand skydiver Wendy Smith was one of three dare-devil skydivers to make the first ever solo parachute jump over the world’s highest peak.
Early on the morning of 5 October, Smith joined Holly Budge (Britain) and Neil Jones (Canadian/British) to make the big leap. Plunging from almost 9,000m - slightly higher than Everest - Smith was first to land at the drop zone.
The daredevils, who had one minute of free-fall, said they had magnificent views as they cruised past the world's highest peak.
"It was stunning. I had never seen so many mountains before. To be on top of the world was simply stunning," said Smith, who has returned to complete another four jumps since Sunday’s world first.
Sub-zero temperatures
The skydivers faced sub-zero cold and fast-changing weather when they jumped.
They used parachutes that were larger than normal size to help them cruise and descend fast through the thin air of the world's highest drop zone. All three wore oxygen masks, neoprene undersuits and thermal gear.
Years of preparation
The skydiving expedition to Mount Everest is the culmination of years of preparation.
About 32 skydivers from more than 10 countries including Britain, Canada, the United States and New Zealand have been in the Everest region for the past week. More jumps are likely during this week.
Sir Edmund Hillary
New Zealand's Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay first climbed Mount Everest's 8,850-metre peak 55 years ago.
More than 3000 climbers, among them a 16-year-old boy, a 76-year-old man, a man with an artificial limb and a blind person, have since reached the top of the mountain.
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