ALYSSA AZAR

ADVENTURER Alyssa Azar’s steely determination to reach the top – literally – is astounding.

The youngest Australian to summit Mount Everest from both the north and south routes has forged a trailblazing path for young women across the globe.

The record books have never been her motivation but throughout her 21 years, she has set several of them including crossing the Kokoda Track when she was eight, and summiting Mt Kosciuszko and the Aussie 10 (Australia’s 10 highest peaks) at age 12.

And two years later, aged 14, she summitted Mt Kilimanjaro. Each accomplishment is incredible in its own right but considering the inherent dangers of alpine adventuring, it becomes clear how much this young leader has battled to succeed.

Her first successful Mount Everest climb was actually her third attempt, the first two thwarted by deadly natural disasters.

While at base camp in 2014, an avalanche struck the Khumbu Icefall, killing 16 sherpas.

In April the following year, on her second attempt again while she was at base camp, Nepal was struck by an earthquake which killed 3218 people.

But this determined adventurer was not deterred and, in 2016, she reached the world’s highest peak.

Handed the keys to Toowoomba on her triumphant return, Ms Azar held a series of public speaking engagements in the city demonstrating to the next generation of women that, with grit and determination, the world is theirs for the taking.