I have read many amazing stories about men and women who conquer the world’s greatest peaks – from the most famous American mountaineer Ed Viesturs to the blind man Erik Weinhenmayer and the Korean woman Oh Eun Sun. Most recently I read the story of Vicky Jack, the oldest British woman to climb Mt. Everest. 
But for Lei Wang, her story is different. She didn’t grow up climbing mountains. She wasn’t really much of an athlete either. Plus she doesn’t have a major handicap. But her story is extremely inspiring because she is a testament of how a seemingly ordinary person can accomplish unimaginable feats. Lei Wang is just one peak away from being the first Chinese woman to reach the seven summits and the 2 poles. This spring, she’s attempting Everest!
Lei Wang grew up in China, then emigrated to the United States for college and graduate school. The first time she ever wielded an ice axe was during her MBA studies. As Lei describes it, she’s “just a normal city girl” but she’s got a “strong will and a ‘never give up’ spirit.” What she has already accomplished is far from ordinary – the 38 year old with a petite 5 foot 2 inch frame has skied to both the North and South Poles, and summitted Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Denali, Cotopaxi, Aconcagua, and Carstensz Pyramid.
I am fully confident that if the conditions are right, Lei Wang will be standing on the top of Everest this spring! Read more about Lei Wang on her website, and wish her luck in her endeavor. For those of you in the Boston area, Lei will be speaking at some upcoming events listed on her website.
May 25, 2010: Lei Wang summitted Everest! Congratulations to Lei. She is now the first Chinese woman to reach the 7 summits and the 2 poles.