Story by Dawn Yip

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Linda Tan, who has not been heard from since yesterday. (Photo courtesy of Linda Tan)

Linda Tan, who is attempting to be Singapore's first woman on Everest, has not been heard from since yesterday. She last called Singapore from Camp 4, just before setting off for her summit push. She was to have arrived at the summit today around noon Singapore time, but no one has heard from her yet.

All we are able to gather is from an update issued today by Summit Climb, the organiser of Linda's expedition:

Hello Summitclimb news. This is Arnold again calling from camp 2.

I have some good news. This morning at 8:00 a.m. local time, Dan, Alan, and Adam Mallory summited Everest. I just spoke with them on the radio. They are doing fine and they will soon start their descent. Unfortunately Laura Mallory left camp 4 last night, but didn't feel too good so she turned around. She wants to try again this evening without a sherpa. Also, Linda turned around last night and she's back safely in camp 4. [Source: SummitClimb website]

Tay Chee Meng, who spoke with Linda yesterday, said that although there may be oxygen left over from those who had successfully summited, it is unlikely Linda will be able to make another attempt. "At that kind of altitude, your digestive system stops working. You'll be exhausting yourself. I hope she will come down and rest. I think she’s pushed herself quite hard," says Chee Meng. Linda's climbing visa also expires on 31 May.

Agreeing, fellow mountaineer and friend Sim Phei Sunn said, "It's not the kind of altitude where you can rest and recover. It must have been a hard decision to turn back and she's probably quite disappointed. But I'm quite sure she tried her best, knowing her and what she is like."

Red Sports will bring you confirmation of Linda's status as soon as we are able.

Click here to read previous Red Sports stories about Linda Tan’s Everest journey.