By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter) with files from Sam Borsato (@BorsatoSam)

Local Realtor Summits Mt. Everest in Effort to Raise Money for Women’s Shelter

May 21, 2016 | 11:30 AM

LETHBRIDGE:  He’s done it. A local realtor and philanthropist has reached the pinnacle of a two-year long project with the biggest climb of his life.  Trevor Stuart summited Mt. Everest at 3:45-am on May 20th.

The climb is part of Stuart’s Campaign to “End Family Violence” and raise money for the Lethbridge YWCA Harbour House Women’s Shelter. The effort is dubbed “Elevating Live One Peak at a Time”.

Stuart has already completed climbs in Bolivia and Argentina, as part of his initiative.

He left Lethbridge on March 29th to tackle his final climb of Mount Everest and now that he has summited, his next challenge is to safely get down from the mountain.

As of May 20th, Stuart has raised $27,538 for the YWCA Harbour House. He’s exceeded his previously highest climb, which was at Mt. Aconcagua in Argentina, of 6962m (22,841 ft).

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“Growing up in a home where there was a lot of domestic violence, it made me realize that there are so many more people out there that grew up just like I did that are still trapped in it,” noted Stuart.

“Nineteen people last year died on Everest, and 43 women in Alberta died last year from domestic violence. I think it’s harder to live in domestic violence than it is to climb Everest.”

This has been one of the most dangerous climbs of Stuart’s career, but he says he’s taking the necessary precautions to avoid any harmful mistakes, that includes months of climbing and altitude training leading up to his last two climbs. He also took extra oxygen so he could stay on the mountain as long as necessary.

“Summiting is not mandatory. Getting down and getting home is. I’m going to climb smart, and be able to get back to Lethbridge and tell stories. We’ve got no return flight ticket booked, so I have no pressures to make it down to get my flight. I’m taking all the steps that I can carefully, so if we run into trouble up there we can wait it out. Just trying to take it one step at a time.”

Trevor updates his Twitter page (@TrevStuart) as often as he is able, and you can also follow his blog   for more detailed updates.

Donations are still being accepted on his website  

All Photos courtesy Trevor Stuart