Nancy Norris is climbing a mountain whose Nepali name means "goddess of the sky."
And some may call Norris the goddess of wellness -- at age 65, the petite grandmother of four will attempt to become the oldest North American woman to climb to the peak of Mount Everest.
The mammoth Asian mountain in the Himalayan range is last on Norris` list to achieve a longtime dream: to break the record as the world`s oldest woman to climb the Seven Summits.
In mountaineering talk, the Seven Summits comprise the highest summit on each of the Earth`s seven continents.
Norris, a Hurley Health and Fitness Center personal trainer and yoga instructor from Grand Blanc Township, already has climbed the other six -- nearly losing a thumb to frostbite and blowing a knee along the way.
"I really want to show that if an individual takes good care of themselves, exercises on a regular basis and eats healthy most of the time, they can accomplish their goals and their dreams regardless of their age," said Norris, whose voice mail at work says "don`t forget to exercise."
The 5-foot-4-inch, 110-pound blond mountain climber leaves Sunday for the 2 1/2-month adventure.
Her preparation has included walking the treadmill with a 50-pound backpack, doing stand-up climbing on the bike and her regular six-day workout routine.
But she`s also been eating more French fries, pizza, doughnuts and extra servings of pasta for an out-of-norm goal -- to gain weight.
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Climbers who scale the 29,035-foot Mount Everest burn thousands of calories a day, and Norris hopes to weigh at least 120 pounds before she leaves. Increasing portions of healthy meals wasn`t working fast enough.
The titan mountain comes with other perils. Extreme wind can drop temperatures below 40 degrees. The Khumbo Icefall requires crossing a "bridge" of ice blocks as big as houses that can shift.
Without proper acclimation and gear, climbers risk frostbite, brain swelling and altitude-causing appetite loss that could drain energy.
It`s pricey, too. Norris took out a $25,000 loan to help pay for the $50,000 cost to climb Mount Everest. It`s the third time she`s taken out a loan to climb a mountain. But none of it discourages her. Nothing compares to getting to the top.
"It can be very emotional because you go through so much to get there," said Norris, noting harsh weather conditions, difficulty breathing, lack of home conveniences and difficult living accommodations.
"When you finally get to the top, it`s just an awe that comes over you. It`s just amazing how beautiful it is, and it`s very spiritual for me. You`re just one with nature. It`s all worth it."
Longtime friend and colleague Dawn Hiller said that at a glance, Norris doesn`t seem to fit the bill for an avid mountain climber.
"She`s a petite, cute blonde and young-looking," Hiller said with a laugh. "There is no way on earth anyone would guess her age or would ever dream she`s scaling the highest mountains."
Hiller said friends and family members are a little nervous but are also excited to celebrate Norris` feat.
"I just don`t know that people understand the magnitude of what she will accomplish once she accomplishes this," Hiller said. "When you see what she faces out there, it`s pretty incredible. She is so determined."
Norris isn`t looking too far ahead, acknowledging that "a lot can happen on a mountain," and she hasn`t broken the world record yet.
"I just feel blessed to have the opportunity," she said. "I`m not sure what will be next ... I guess maybe it`s hard to top Mount Everest." The Flint Journal
