Ginette Harrison
Encyclopedia
Ginette Harrison was a professional climber
of British
origin. She also lived in Australia
and the United States
.
She studied medicine at the University of Bristol
and later specialized in high altitude medicine. At age 25 she climbed Denali
, the highest mountain in North America. It was the first of her series of climbs of the highest peaks on all seven continents, which included Mount Everest
on 7 October 1993, making her only the second British woman to climb Everest, after Rebecca Stephens
.
On 1 December 1995 she became the third woman, and the first British woman, to climb all 7 continental summits inclusive of Kosciuszko, the highest mountain in mainland Australia. On the same date she also became the fifth woman, and the second British woman (behind Rebecca Stephens), to climb all 7 continental summits inclusive of the Carstensz Pyramid in Australasia.
On 18 May 1998, she climbed the Kangchenjunga
by its north face, making her the first woman who has reached the summit of the world's third highest mountain. She later became the first British woman to summit Makalu
on 22 May 1999.
She was married to Gary Pfisterer, whom she met on her expedition to Mount Everest.
She died under an avalanche when climbing Dhaulagiri
, the seventh highest mountain in the world.
A memorial lecture is held in Ginette's memory each year, part of the Wilderness Lectures series. The event raises money for the Charity, of which Ginette was an enthusiastic supporter, and which sponsors a school in Nepal, named in her honour.
Climbing
Climbing is the activity of using one's hands and feet to ascend a steep object. It is done both for recreation and professionally, as part of activities such as maintenance of a structure, or military operations.Climbing activities include:* Bouldering: Ascending boulders or small...
of British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
origin. She also lived in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
She studied medicine at the University of Bristol
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
and later specialized in high altitude medicine. At age 25 she climbed Denali
Mount McKinley
Mount McKinley or Denali in Alaska, United States is the highest mountain peak in North America and the United States, with a summit elevation of above sea level. It is the centerpiece of Denali National Park and Preserve.- Geology and features :Mount McKinley is a granitic pluton...
, the highest mountain in North America. It was the first of her series of climbs of the highest peaks on all seven continents, which included Mount Everest
Mount Everest
Mount Everest is the world's highest mountain, with a peak at above sea level. It is located in the Mahalangur section of the Himalayas. The international boundary runs across the precise summit point...
on 7 October 1993, making her only the second British woman to climb Everest, after Rebecca Stephens
Rebecca Stephens (climber)
Rebecca Stephens MBE is a British journalist, mountaineer, and television presenter. She was the first British woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest....
.
On 1 December 1995 she became the third woman, and the first British woman, to climb all 7 continental summits inclusive of Kosciuszko, the highest mountain in mainland Australia. On the same date she also became the fifth woman, and the second British woman (behind Rebecca Stephens), to climb all 7 continental summits inclusive of the Carstensz Pyramid in Australasia.
On 18 May 1998, she climbed the Kangchenjunga
Kangchenjunga
Kangchenjunga is the third highest mountain of the world with an elevation of and located along the India-Nepal border in the Himalayas.Kangchenjunga is also the name of the section of the Himalayas and means "The Five Treasures of Snows", as it contains five peaks, four of them over...
by its north face, making her the first woman who has reached the summit of the world's third highest mountain. She later became the first British woman to summit Makalu
Makalu
Makalu is the fifth highest mountain in the world at and is located southeast of Mount Everest, on the border between Nepal and China...
on 22 May 1999.
She was married to Gary Pfisterer, whom she met on her expedition to Mount Everest.
She died under an avalanche when climbing Dhaulagiri
Dhaulagiri
Dhaulagiri is Earth's seventh highest mountain at ; one of fourteen over eight thousand metres. Dhaulagiri was first climbed May 13, 1960 by a Swiss/Austrian expedition....
, the seventh highest mountain in the world.
A memorial lecture is held in Ginette's memory each year, part of the Wilderness Lectures series. The event raises money for the Charity, of which Ginette was an enthusiastic supporter, and which sponsors a school in Nepal, named in her honour.