Proud at the peak: Viridiana Chavez – By Garuda

In an incredible one year and 364 days, Viridiana Alvarez Chavez of Mexico climbed to a new Guinness World Record title. Her efforts broke the record title for the fastest ascent of the top three highest mountains with supplementary oxygen (female). She is the proof that epic accomplishments can come from a humble beginning. “My career as a mountaineer started with an unusual and inspirational purpose: a simple personal challenge to exercise. It was proof that dreams do not have to have to be lifelong dreams and that anyone who sets them can achieve even what are considered ‘unattainable goals’; such as breaking a world record,” says Chavez. Her world record journey started with Everest (29,029 feet high) on May 16, 2017, followed by K2 (28,251 feet) on July 21,2018, and finalized at Kangchenjunga (28,169 feet) on May 15, 2019. She is the first Latina to have conquered K2, considered the deadliest of the world’s five highest mountains. Fewer than 400 people have made it to the top of K2 and nearly 90 have died trying. Chavez, who is from Aguascalientes, Mexico, eventually hopes to become the first North American to climb each of the world’s 14 tallest mountains. Congratulations and keep climbing high! ⛰