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Trevor Stuart Met by Well-Wishers on His Return from Summiting Everest

Jun 11, 2016 | 4:08 PM

LETHBRIDGE:   The atmosphere for Trevor Stuart was a lot warmer Saturday afternoon compared to the environment he’d endured for the past couple months. 

The local realtor and philanthropist arrived to a swarm of family, friends and well-wishers at the Lethbridge airport, after reaching the pinnacle of a two-year long project that culminated with the highest mountain climb of his life.

Stuart summited Mt. Everest at 3:45-am on May 20th.

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

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

He left Lethbridge on March 29th to tackle his final climb on Mount Everest. Between May 20th and Saturday, the challenge to safely get down from the mountain and return home.

Reaching the top is not the only dangerous portion of trekking a peak like Everest.  In the week immediately following Stuart’s summit, one Sherpa (mountain guide) and four climbers who were with other expeditions died as a result of altitude sickness, as they were descending from the peak.

As of May 20th, Stuart had raised more than $27,000 for the YWCA Harbour House, exceeding his previously highest climb, which was at Mt. Aconcagua in Argentina, of 6962m (22,841 ft).

“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 took the necessary precautions to avoid any harmful mistakes, including 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 climbed smart in order to get back to Lethbridge and tell stories.”

As soon as Stuart has had time to recuperate, it’s expected he will plan speaking engagements where residents will have an opportunity to hear about his adventure and see all the photos he has.

You can still make donations in support of Stuart’s climb for Harbour House and read more about his story online   

 

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