8,848 meters (29,029 ft): Jeannette McGill Touches The Top Of The World
By Sunny Stroeer
Climbing Mount Everest is a powerful journey – Jeannette knows this first hand, and she’s taking others with her.
We mean that literally, and figuratively: Jeannette is the expedition leader for AWE’s all-women Three Passes Trek Nepal that takes teams across Renjo La, Cho La, and Kongma La on their way to Everest Basecamp. This is a glimpse into her multi-decade journey from South Africa to the top of the world.
Because in May 2025, at 52 years of age, Jeannette McGill stood on the highest point on Earth: Chomolungma, known to much of the world as Mount Everest.
What is the draw of reaching the summit of Everest? It’s more than a destination, more than a challenge, more even than a dream: it’s a crucible that reveals who you are, what you’re made of, and what you’re willing to give in pursuit of something uniquely meaningful to you. For Jeannette, it was the culmination of years of grit, setbacks, and soul-searching. And while her path to 8,848 meters (29,029 ft) was deeply personal, it’s a story she has long been channeling into something greater: guiding and empowering others, in the high Himalayas and beyond.
In the Q&A below, Jeannette shares raw reflections from her Everest climb, her leadership ethos, and why she keeps going back to the mountains, inviting others to come with her.
A little over a month ago, you stood on the summit of Everest, as the culmination of a long and winding personal journey. Can you take us into that moment—what did it feel like to reach the top after everything it took to get there?
My Everest journey has definitely been a path paved with resilience and perseverance. I dabbled with the idea in my twenties but found that I preferred random expeditions in less trodden places. But we are allowed to change our minds! – and over the years Everest did become increasingly important to me. I had a few unsuccessful attempts due to horrible luck but with determination and fully owning my goal I had the incredible opportunity of seeing the sunrise near the South Summit this year. My final steps to the actual summit were filled with immense gratitude and yes, some tears too. It was a special moment that will live with me forever.
You’ve also had moments on big mountains where you’ve had to turn around. How have those experiences shaped your relationship with the mountains, and how do they influence the way you lead others in the high alpine?
I think that in our performance-centric society summits get taken for granted, especially for the extreme altitude ones. I definitely have had to make peace with the realities of turning around – often due to luck or weather challenges. I’ve had to turn around on both Manaslu and Dhaulagiri before. I find that turning around actually makes me appreciate the mountains so much more, and in turn I become a better leader. Successful mountain leadership requires empathy and care plus the technical awareness of tough terrains and adding in weather windows definitely requires patience and skill. All things that I either coach others or share while on treks.
You’re not just guiding in Nepal, you’re deeply rooted there. What is it about that place, and its people, that keeps calling you back?
I was enticed by Nepal from a young age. I used to read books by people like Boardman and Bonnington and created my own creative writing essays too. It wasn’t until 2011 when I eventually reached Nepal for myself. And – the trip was terrible! The logistics, and the leader, turned the trip into a nightmare! So I persevered, returning in 2014, to the second worst trip of my life! This is why I provide others, especially those going to Nepal for the first time, with the caring and safe trip I never had. And yes, I also developed a deep affinity for the Nepalese, especially Sherpa, culture. I understand and appreciate the cultural nuances more than most and have learnt the language too. It’s a place that allows me to be me.
In addition to your own mountaineering and leading teams in the mountains, you give so much: your time, your leadership, your financial support, to help more women access the mountains through the Summit Scholarship Foundation. What motivates you to give in so many ways?
I like to see others succeed and I care deeply. Mountaineering is such an underrepresented space, especially in the African context. The Summit Scholarship has been life altering for all the participants and the chance to both grow the scholarship and support Africa resonated for me. Some climbers use mountaineering to champion their own social enterprises yet unfortunately don’t give back to mountaineering. I wanted to change that.
What would you say to someone who dreams of visiting Nepal, be it on their own or joining you on an all-women Three Passes Trek Nepal to Everest Basecamp, but isn’t sure they’re strong enough, fast enough, or experienced enough?
The Three Passes Trek is indeed one of the most rugged multi-day treks in the world. Completing this trek provides a true sense of accomplishment, the opportunity to visit remote villages and witness incredible mountain views. However, participants do need to be realistic and arrive prepared for some discomfort and with moderate fitness – these are both elements that can be trained for. We provide all the support for preparation. Last year I led someone who trained diligently, learnt about trekking and arrived with limited experience yet she was a standout success due to her thorough preparation.
Trek in Nepal with Jeannette & AWE
The Three Passes Trek itinerary I lead is a truly special one as it’s been tailored to create space for all the things that AWExpeditions stands for. Yes, highly commercial offerings exist but they work on itineraries that are inflexible and are not suited to adequate acclimatization. Our trek is correctly paced for the altitude gains and to ensure completion. This also creates space for everyone as an individual to thrive. Sometimes that can be inside the group camaraderie at the top of a pass and other times with a journal, a hot chocolate and self reflection in a snug teahouse. It’s a truly special undertaking and all participants can be justly proud of the achievement.
Is there anything else you want to share?
The mountains have truly shaped me. Be it my own high-altitude climbs or multi-day treks the outdoors have been a safe harbour time and time again. The opportunity to share the Nepal I have come to appreciate with other like-minded women is truly an honour and one that means a lot. The 3 Passes trek is both an achievement and a life changing experience that will remain for many years. I wish I had such a container available to me when I was starting out, however giving back to others now is truly rewarding.
To witness someone stand on the roof of the world is powerful. But to hear them speak with such honesty, humility, and care about what it took to get there, and how they show up for others because of it—that’s what makes Jeannette’s leadership extraordinary, and why we feel grateful and inspired to have Jeannette a part of the AWExpeditions family in her role as Expedition Leader for our all-women Three Passes Trek to Everest Basecamp.
Climbing Everest was Jeannette’s goal, but she did so much more than that: she kept going back after failure, she centered on purpose, and she always stayed connected to the people and the place. And now, she opens that door for others – especially women – who are ready to meet the mountains on their own terms.
If something in Jeannette’s story speaks to you, know that you already have in you what it takes to follow that pull. And whether your own summit is literal or symbolic, you don’t have to walk toward it alone.
