Five
American women, ranging in age from 34 to 58, are now starting
the most physically demanding challenge of their lives — a climb
up the south side of Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain.
This
team, the first U.S. all-woman group attempting to climb Everest,
has over 100 years of combined climbing experience and has reached
six of the world’s seven highest summits. With help in the
form of a sponsorship from Ford Division, the one mountain missing
from their list, Everest, is now within their grasp.
Team
members include Lynn Prebble, 49, a physical therapist from Colorado;
Jody Thompson, 38, a nurse from Colorado; Kim Clark, 34, a third
year nursing student at the University of Colorado; Alison Levine,
35, an investment banker for Goldman Sacks; and Midge Cross, 58.
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| "Team
No Boundaries," clockwise from top-left, are: Levine,
Prebble, Clark, Thompson and Cross. |
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Team
No Boundaries members have faced challenges including breast cancer
and heart surgery, and climbing plays a special role in each of
their lives. Once the team realized they would attempt to climb
the world’s highest mountain, they each stepped up their
already strenuous workout routines. In addition, unlike most teams
attempting to climb Mount Everest, Team No Boundaries had an opportunity
to train together prior to departure.
Ford
Division's sponsorship of the team, named "Team No Boundaries
— Everest Expedition” coincides with the launch of the
all-new new 2003 Expedition and is an attempt to further Ford's
“No Boundaries” branding.
“The
climb exemplifies what No Boundaries is all about – Ford’s
endless drive to turn no into yes, inspiring all of us to move
beyond what we thought possible,” said Jim O’Connor,
Ford Division president. “It’s that mind-set that makes
breakthrough products like the all-new 2003 Expedition possible,
and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate its introduction.”
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| Team
No Boundaries at the NY Auto Show with the Ford Expedition
Everest. |
Ford
is providing the team with the funding and resources needed to
make the trip a success. In addition, the climbing team served
as inspiration for Expedition Everest — a specially painted
and accessorized model that could fit in on nearly any mountaintop.
Team
No Boundaries departed New York City for Nepal in late March and
arrived at base camp as of April 11, according to everestnews.com.
The team expects to return to the United States in late May or
early June, after they reach the mountain’s peak above Nepal
and Tibet at 29,029 feet.
Expect
an update from us this summer!
(Sources:
Ford Motor Company)
