13-year-old Girl Climbs Mt. Everest

Malavath Poorna, daughter of poor Indian farmers, became the youngest girl to climb Mt. Everest on May 25. She “shed joyful tears” when she reached the top, reports the Associated Press.

Her journey wasn’t easy. She endured extreme cold, minus-40 degree Fahrenheit, and saw six dead bodies at 10,830 feet. The steep slopes, exposed rocks and deep crevasses didn’t get in her way, however.

Since Nepal requires climbers to be at least 16 years old, Poorna entered from the North side of the 29,035 foot mountain in Tibet. She made the climb with a team of Nepalese guides.

Poorna trained for eight months and was fully supported by her parents, even though she had never been on a mountain before.

American climber Jordan Romero from Big Bear, California, also reached the summit at age 13 in 2010. Romero also started his climb in Tibet.

Read more: Associated Press