Valerie first went to the Himalayas in 1984 and fell in love with the culture, animals and scenic views. She was known as 'the woman hiking in a skirt' locally due to her iconic trekking outfits, that always incorporated a colourful skirt.  

In 2008, she took on the challenge of summiting the 8000-metre Nepalese mountain Manaslu. This was the first time it was ever commercially done, and she was the first British woman to summit without supplementary oxygen.   

Six months later she began her preparation to climb the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest. Despite many setbacks, including extreme temperatures and low oxygen supplies, they reached Camp 4, only an hour from the base camp and the highest campsite in the world, before having to turn around due safety reasons.   

As well as visiting the local communities and monasteries, Valerie gives back to the Himalayan community by suppling Freedom Packs, to provide women with sanitary products and educating them on women's health. The lecture was incredibly inspiring to the Sixth Form, teachers and the wider community.   

Georgie & Freya, UVI