Reaching Beyond the Clouds: From Undiagnosed to Climbing Mt. Everest

In 2007, Abbott was diagnosed with Wegener’s granulomatosis, a rare and potentially life-threatening blood vessel disease. Three years later she reached the summit of Everest, via the South Side, as a member of a Mountain Trip expedition led by Scott Woolums. Her preparations for Everest included Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, Rainier, Elbrus, and Peak Lenin.