BigPond Everest - Oz Chicks with Altitude > Everest > Frequently Asked Questions > Cheryl Bart and Nikki Bart climb the 7 Summits

How did you get interested in mountain climbing?

We have always been an outdoor family but mountain climbing started with a trek in Nepal. We loved the mountains but did not think we would be attempting to climb Everest one day. Then on another holiday we climbed Kiliminjaro and had a fabulous time, which was followed by a holiday in Russia when we climbed Elbrus. Elbrus was the transformation climb. It was the first mountain that was ice and snow and we needed new gear including crampons. We shared a hut with a couple who had recently climbed Everest and were completing the Seven Summits with their climb of Elbrus. That got us thinking, “We could do this!”. We caught the bug and Vinson Massif in Antarctica, was next on our list.

What do your family and friends say?

Either “You’re mad!”, “You know you don’t have to do this…” or “Wow I wish I could do it too.” All are supportive though and know this is our dream. We know they will worry so its great having the podcasting, tracking and all the technology that will allow them to follow us on the website.

What do you like about climbing?

The tremendous sense of freedom and it is very spiritual. It also an extraordinary privilege to do this as a mother daughter team. The physical challenge is great but the mental challenge is life changing. When you come back you are on top of the world and ready to take on anything.

What is the most difficult thing?

Well.... going to the toilet is a constant challenge. But really, each mountain a different challenge including; weather, health or learning a new skill. On the mountain we have experienced many tricky times. I remember being on a spiny ridge with a thousand feet drop each side, you can only think about the next step.

Who is the better climber?

Cheryl says Nikki and Nikki says Cheryl. But on any given day there are periods of time when one is stronger than the other and the great thing is that we balance each other out and build each other up. When we are both exhausted and it's blowing a gale outside and you have to dig snow and we both don’t want to move, one will always say, “OK I will do it,” and it's that camaraderie and team spirit that is very special.

What motivates you?

Cheryl: There are a number of motivations. Physical challenge - from executing tricky technical steep ice sections to endurance required on 6-18 hour days, the physical aspect is a great motivation. Also being able to perform consistently and well when the many different aspects of high altitude - such as nausea, headaches kick in. There is also the challenge of dealing with all aspects of lengthy expedition living, long hard days, being in a tent for 5-8 weeks, sanitation issues, food issues.

Another motivation is the mental challenge - sometimes it all comes down to that old expression "mind over matter" - the mental toughness to push through tiredness, fear, boredom, and the vast undertaking each mountain requires. There is also a spiritual aspect- a kind of meditation, being in the present among these timeless mountains. But the best part is sharing such intense and magnificent experiences with someone I love, my daughter Nikki.

Nikki: There is no single definable reason for climbing these peaks. A big part of it is the challenge. There is something incredible about pushing your body beyond what you thought you could possibly ever achieve. And even if you don't achieve the ultimate goal, the challenge and the journey along the way is amazing. A big part of it is adventure. Climbing the seven summits has taken me to all of the continents, and has allowed me to see cultures and countries that I never would have had the opportunity to experience. From the ballet in Moscow, the safari in Tanzania, climbing has really opened my eyes to the world. Even more than that, mountains usually attract a really interesting group of people, and so I have made friends, and had conversations that are truly special.

For me, the teamwork, and the fact that I climb these peaks with my mum, is really important, and a big motivation. It means that there is someone there to encourage, to challenge, to look after, and to laugh with. That kind of teamwork, where you have your life in one another's hands is quite unique to this sport, and is one of the reasons I enjoy climbing so much.

A favourite moment?

Cheryl: Landing on the blue ice run way in Patriot Hills Antarctica. The plane takes ages to stop because the pilot cannot use his brakes on the icy runway. Then the back of the Russian Illyushin paratrooper plane opened, as if a spaceship on the moon, and at 3am the sun was blazing in the sky. My first step onto Antarctican land was one of those truly magical moments. It was unimaginably beautiful, incredibly exciting and I knew this was the start of another glorious adventure for the two of us!

Nikki: Standing on the summit of Cho oyu. Up until the moment of finally reaching the summit, with the horrific weather we endured, the extreme altitude and the first time using oxygen tanks, part of me could never fully believe that we could do it. And then after many hours of climbing through the night we were standing on the summit of an 8,000m peak, something that many climbers dream about. And even better was the fact that at the same time I placed my feet on the summit, my Mum did too .. and after seven weeks of living in a tent together under extreme conditions, we had climbed this peak together.

What difficulties have you experienced?

The administration required is enormous. The more difficult or remote the mountain the more the administration there is, especially insurance. It’s really important to use a reputable company to go with who can offer some assistance and advice. Doing our own research has helped us a lot too.

What is one of the most challenging or scary climbing memories?

Cheryl: On Denali we spent 6 days and 7 nights at high camp (17,000 ft) stuck in a raging storm. That much time at altitude takes everything out of your body. The winds varied from 60 to 100 miles per hour and for about 48 hours they were 100 miles per hour. The tent shook so much we had to sit with our backs to the wall to hold it up. Our one tent pole was ripped in two places, and the vestibule was completely shredded. If the tent itself shredded we would have had to grab as much survival gear as possible and hope that our guide's tent was still standing or just bivvy out there on that exposed and desolate place. We couldn't move up or down the mountain. We were stuck and completely at the mercy of the ferocious wind. We ate nothing but freeze-dried potatoes and ramen for 6 days. And at that altitude our bodies were slowly atrophying and it took a lot of effort to stay sane. Most of the time we were unable to move out from the tent. It was probably the worst 6 days we have ever had on a mountain.

Nikki: On Denali I got frostnip on my fingers due to returning from the summit in poor weather and difficulties encountered by other members of the rope team ahead of us causing huge delays. After getting the frostnip we had to walk from our 14,000ft camp all the way to base camp in one night, something referred to as the "Death march". We were carrying massive packs, and I was worried about the pain in my fingers as I have seen what can happen to fingers with frostnip.

How heavy will your pack be?

On Everest it will likely be about 18kgs – maybe 20. On Denali we carried 26 kgs.

Favourite piece of equipment?

Cheryl: My crampons - I feel secure and firm in them.

Nikki: My mountaineering mittens - I get cold hands but my mittens may hands stay warm.

How do you pass time when you are on a mountain?

When we are together we talk about anything from the mountain to people to general topics or stories that have recently been in the news. Often when you are walking you have to stay the rope distance away from the next person. It can be very meditative but on heavily crevassed areas you cannot talk or let your mind wander as you need to be watching and thinking about the next step all the time.

How you make decisions?

All decisions are made together - we are a team. But in the event that one errs on the caution of stay put and one feels OK to go on the default is to stay put. We will never push ahead unless we are both 100% committed. The guide makes a lot of the big decisions but we still make our decisions independently. We also have a pact that if one of us cannot continue the other will not go alone.

What sort of food do you eat?

Our food consists of high carb, and high fat content. That means lots of chocolate… every girl's dream, but unfortunately often you are too nauseous to actually enjoy the food that you are eating. On at 8,000m food becomes extremely important. This is because these peaks are often described, as a "war of attrition" because the mountain is simply breaking down your body every day, and your chance at successful summit has to do with still being strong enough to handle it after the wear and tear of mountain living. Food at base camp also differs greatly from food up one the mountain, and this is why coming back down to base camp regularly to rest and fuel up becomes extremely important. At base camp on Everest, we will have a cook called Chomba, who will become Cheryl and Nikki's most favourite person - especially with his cheesy omlettes for breakfast!

How does your diet change when you are climbing?

Base camp diet

Breakfast
- Muesli, tinned fruit and powdered yoghurt
- Omelettes
- Pancakes/French toast/porridge
- Toast
……..and yes we eat ALL of this!

Lunch
- Rice with lentils, vegetables, or
- Pasta with a tomato sauce, or
- Burritos with cheese and beans

Dinner
There are usually about five massive pots on the table. One will be filled with a carbohydrate like spaghetti, one will be filled with meat, and then the others will be filled with potatoes, vegetables, and a sauce. Finally dessert is cakes or bir biscuits.

Snacks
Over the course of the day we will eat chocolate, museli bars, nuts, protein bars and jelly beans. We also need to be consuming between 6-8L of fluid a day. Most of this will be via water with electroylte powder, but other fluids will be milk tea made from sweetened condensed milk with lots of sugar, milo, and powdered orange or mango juice.

Up on the mountain
Breakfast - 2 packets of porridge, and some cereal with powdered milk

Lunch is had over the course of 6-8 hours and consists of some kind of protein or carbohydrate every hour (If you can stomach it!). You need to keep energy levels up while climbing, but the lack of oxygen causes the blood vessels in your stomach to such down so as to shunt oxygen to more vital areas such as the brain. So, often food makes you feel like vomiting at altitude.

Snacks generally include, protein bars, muesli bars, scroggen, Snickers bars, Milo bars and Pringles!

Dinner is powdered broil in a bag food such as "mountain house". These come in a variety of flavours such as macaroni and cheese, vegetarian lasagna, and mashed potatoes.

Up high, boiling water becomes a serious issue. At altitude water takes much longer to boil, and you need to make 5L for each person. This is a major tent activity once setting up camp, and will occupy us in our tent with their tiny stove for many hours.

What will you do at the summit?

Give each other a hug. Sigh in relief. Take some pictures. There is not a lot of time at the top, 30 minutes if you are lucky. Very few people celebrate at the top as you still have to get down. And that’s where most mistakes and fatalities happen. At the bottom we will celebrate.

What next?

We would love to go to the North and South Pole, which is the adventure's grand slam. The last 5 degrees latitude is completed hauling a sled. After that, there are lots more wonderful mountains to climb.