Katie Sarah


Motivational, Sport | Adventure

On 25 May 2010, Katie Sarah summitted Mt Everest, the world’s highest peak at 8848m, and became the first South Australian (and seventh Australian) woman to do so.

Katie works for Chessell Adventures Pty Ltd in Sales and Operations support. She grew up and lives in Adelaide with her husband and three sons.

After working in finance and accounting for a number of years, whilst raising a family, Katie’s career direction took an unexpected turn. Always one to take on a challenge, she decided to try a different industry and take on a sales role in Adventure Travel.
This was prompted by a love the outdoors, including rock climbing, marathons, triathlons, and other endurance events.

Katie’s first climbing experience at altitude was a successful summit of Bolivia’s highest peak, Navado Sajama, 6542m, in 2006.

Six months later in 2007 she made a last minute decision to join her employer and climbing colleague Duncan Chessell on an expedition to Everest. She never intended to actually attempt to summit, but rather to just go along and experience a part of a high altitude climb. Unfortunately injury prevented a successful summit on this occasion.

Having come so close to attaining the summit in 2007, she continued climbing in order gain more experience in subsequent years. Katie was the first Australian woman to summit Mt Himlung, Nepal (7126m) in 2009, and participated in an expedition which pioneered a new route on Mt Vinson in Antarctica in 2008. She then returned to Tibet and Mt Everest in 2010, this time with more success.