1 . It was May 23,2016. Arnot, the 32-year-old mountain guide, reached the top of Qomolangma without the use of oxygen (O2) equipment. It was achieved after seven years, three previous attempts, and fourteen straight hours of climbing.
After 15 minutes at the top, Arnot began her descent (下坡). Eight hours later, she reached the camp at 7, 600 meters and became the first American woman—and only the seventh woman ever—to successfully reach Mount Qomolangma without oxygen equipment.
“There are so many reasons for her impressive achievement, especially the physical and emotional efforts that she’s put forth over the years to make this happen,” says the professional climber and photographer Richards. “The mental courage that it requires is something very few people have.”
Arnot didn’t start climbing until she was 19 years old. Money was tight in her family, and climbing mountains never occurred in her mind. After graduating from college, Arnot was invited by her friend to climb a mountain. “It totally changed my life,” says Arnot. “I always know that if you want something, you can achieve it, but knowing what you want is a whole different thing,” she says. “I am athletic but not competitive. After my first climbing, I knew immediately that mountains are what I want — as that is where I felt home for the first time in my life.”
After that first climb, she devoted herself to learning how to climb and move through mountain. It was during her second trip to Qomolangma in 2009 that she first set her sights on a no-oxygen attempt. However, while hiking into Qomolangma Base Camp that year, she hurt her leg and wasn’t able to climb without oxygen. In 2013 she nearly made it to the top, but was forced to take oxygen at 8, 504 meters while helping another climber.
When Arnot finally stood atop Qomolangma, she called her best friend, “I reached the top and I’m not using any oxygen.” Then, tears began to stream down from her eyes. So much of Arnot’s life has been about pushing the limits of her abilities, and in this case, she’s also pushed up against the outer limits of the human spirit.
1. On May 23, 2016, Arnot ________.| A．spent 8 straight hours climbing |
| B．stayed at the top for 50 minutes |
| C．made her first attempt to climb Qomolangma |
| D．reached the top without oxygen equipment |
| A．money was no longer a problem to her |
| B．mountains gave her the feeling of comfort |
| C．she tried to be more athletic and competitive |
| D．she wanted to build up her body through climbing |
| A．She took up climbing when she was 19 years old. |
| B．She has always been a good climber since her childhood. |
| C．She climbed Qomolangma with her family during her first trip. |
| D．She hurt her leg badly while helping another climber in 2009. |
| A．Determined and brave. |
| B．Cautious and honest. |
| C．Caring and open-minded. |
| D．Confident and creative. |
