The first woman to climb Everest from both south and north sides.

Cathy O'Dowd has been on four expeditions to Everest, attempting the mountain from all three sides. She has reached the summit twice.

In the spring of 1996 she was the 'token woman' on the 1st South African Everest Expedition, climbing from Nepal via the South Col and reaching the summit on 25 May 1996. 

In the spring of 1998 she attempted the North Ridge route, via Tibet, stopping just four hours short of the summit to attempt to aid a dying American woman.

In the spring of 1999 she returned to the North Ridge and this time reached the summit on 29 May 1999.

And in the spring of 2003 she attempted to climb a new route on the notorious east face of Everest, but finally allowed common sense to prevail and backed off.

New:  Picture Gallery of our 1998 and 1999 Everest expeditions.

Thanks to all our sponsors.    Below: the view from the summit of the world.