Contributed by Esther Tan

National Library, Tuesday, September 1, 2009 - Singapore’s first all-women’s team that summited the highest mountain in the world in May this year held their first public sharing session at the National Library. The basement of the library was packed to the brim with members of the public who came to hear tales the girls brought back from their Everest adventure.

Team leader, Jane Lee shared on how the team was formed, how they trained to climb the world's highest peak, and how they overcame challenges on the actual Everest climb.

"The Khumbu Icefall is one of the most treacherous parts of the Everest climb. About 60% of deaths occur at this section of the climb… we narrowly missed an avalanche which crashed in on the route we usually take up the icefall, and it was sobering to come face to face with the dangers we've heard so much about on the climb," Jane said. The infamous Khumbu Icefall lies between Base Camp and Camp 1 on Everest.

Jane also described the summit day, and how the team avoided the notorious human traffic jams.

"Being typical Singaporeans, we set off earlier than the other climbers on the summit day. That really helped because we avoided the human traffic jam up the Hillary Step, and because we moved fast, we were also able to avoid the congestion on the way down from the summit. This was extremely important because accidents usually happen on the way down, and we had to be extra careful."

Questions from the 250-strong crowd came fast and furious throughout the sharing session.