The first Mongolian woman to climb Mount Everest, State Honored Athlete B.Gangaamaa, will head to conquer the highest summit of Antarctica’s Mount Vinson (4,892 m), the Vinson Massif, on December 13. B.Gangaamaa met the press, her sponsors and representatives of sports federations on December 5, before starting her voyage. The mountaineer will climb Mount Vinson with a team of Russian mountaineers on December 15. Below is an interview with mountaineer B.Gangaamaa about her upcoming voyage. Your dream to conquer the Seven Summits of the World will come true very soon. How are you feeling? I feel good for sure. I prepared well and am ready to conquer the seventh summit, Mount Vinson. Conquering the Seven Summits is the dream of every mountaineer. Mongolia is facing an economy crisis. I want to express my gratitude to all Mongolians and organizations that sponsored me during this hard time. It will be a historical event for Mongolia after I conquer Mount Vinson Massif. The expedition team had to collect 48,000 USD to start the climb to Vinson Massif. We announced a fundraising campaign through social media last September. Mongolians, state and international organizations helped a lot. Thank you all. What do you think about the climate in Antarctica? Currently, Antarctica does have summer. Mountaineers usually go to Antarctica to climb Vinson Massif from October to January. The temperature in Antarctica is +10 Celsius to -30 Celsius, but -35 Celsius at Vinson Massif. Antarctica is very windy and stormy. I could face unpleasant weather, but I don't care. Everyone knows that there are no plants and grass in Antarctica. I am very close to my dream.

"...Actually, I didn't plan to climb the Seven Summits of the World. I started thinking of the Seven Summits after climbing Mount Everest..."

You will conduct a research in Antarctica while mountain climbing. Tell us about the research? According to the contract signed with the Information and Research Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Environment, I will do a research on climate, environment and ice in Antarctica, and take samples. Seven Mongolian researchers have done studies in Antarctica since 1972. I will research while climbing. It is a very responsible job. People might be surprised that I will be conducting a research. I worked for a meteorology organization for five years. I have experience in this field. Before you, G.Gankhuu climbed Vinson Massif. You will be the first Mongolian woman who conquered Vinson Massif. Yes, G.Gankhuu is the first Mongolian to climb Vinson Massif. Everyone in Mongolia knows G.Gankhuu as the leader of Shar Airag band and traveler. We met him and he gave us advice. Why do you love the mountaineering sport? Please tell us about your first climbing experience. I chose the mountaineering sport when I was a child. I have been training in the mountaineering sport since 1989. My first climb was Otgontenger Mountain. The experience energized me. During the first 10 years, I followed senior mountaineers and climbed mountains in Mongolia. I devoted my heart to this sport and started climbing internationally. That's why I succeeded. As a result of that, I raised the Mongolian state flag on six summits of the Seven Summits of the World. Actually, I didn't plan to climb the Seven Summits of the World. I started thinking of the Seven Summits after climbing Mount Everest. What do you take with you when you go climbing? What do you bring from the mountains? I always take the state flag with me. For food, I take dried meat. Dried meat gives me energy. I bring success from the mountains I climb. When are you planning to retire? Many people asked me this question. The press reported that I, mountaineer B.Gangaamaa, retired after climbing K2 or Mount Godwin-Austen. That was untrue. Vinson Massif will not be my last climb.