Hong Kong teacher calls off Everest expedition after bad weather, but vows to return next year
Educator to scale shorter mountain after bad weather forces her to abandon plan to conquer world's highest peak, but she vows to return
The Hong Kong teacher who wanted to scale Mount Everest to inspire her pupils has decided to abandon her plan this year after many teams withdrew from their expeditions in light of last month's deadly avalanche.
Ada Tsang Yin-hung had planned on becoming the first Hong Kong woman to conquer the world's highest mountain to inspire her pupils at Chan Chun Ha Secondary School through her experience.
But the 39-year-teacher decided to call off her mission in light of the avalanche on April 18 that killed at least 16 Sherpa guides. The tragedy has triggered protests and violence in the area, with guides refusing to work and demanding better insurance and safety conditions.
Nevertheless, Tsang, who teaches life education at the secondary school in Ma On Shan, said she intended to return to fulfil her dream next year.
For the time being, however, she would scale another peak - this one 7,000 metres tall - before returning to Hong Kong later this month, said her former pupil Catharine Leung, who has kept in close contact with Tsang since her expedition began.
Tsang conveyed her decision to Leung on Friday, on the 21st day of her trip, texting from her campsite about 3,000 metres from the Mount Everest peak.
