Carina Räihä summited Mount Everest

In the early hours of Monday 17th May 2010 (Finnish time), Team Halti member Carina Räihä completed a successful ascent of Mount Everest.

Carina Räihä has made Finnish mountaineering history by being the first Finnish woman to reach the peak of the world renowned Mount Everest.

The weather conditions at Everest this spring have tested the patience of the climbers and the strong winds at the top have prevented or delayed the schedules of many expeditions. Carina Räihä’s Tango Expedition 2010 to Everest started in April. Before reaching the top, Carina and her team prepared the route to the summit and spent more than a month’s time on acclimatisation.

When the extremely narrow weather window opened in the middle of May (the professionals speak of the Everest weather window: when it opens, the winds abate and the freezing temperatures moderate), Carina, her guide and her expedition partner succeeded in their attempt, which in practice can be done only once, while other climbers were still waiting for their turn at the bottom of the mountain.

“The feeling is just amazing! Every one of us wants to realize our dreams and I have now definitely realized one of mine. I’m sure I will understand this better after a little time has past” commented Carina directly from the top of the world via satellite phone.

Halti would like to extend its congratulations to Carina and the team on this fantastic achievement.