KATHMANDU: Former US Marine Corps Sergeant Kirstie Ennis today left for the Mt Everest region aiming to be the first woman with a leg amputated above the knee to stand atop the world’s highest peak in the spring climbing season.

According to Ram Thapa Magar, managing director at HST Adventures, Kirstie along with Christopher Pollack, owner of Myrmidon Expeditions, left for Lukla to begin climbing activities in the region. “This is for the dreamers and the nonbelievers. Today’s the day. I’m Khumbu bound,” the 28-year-old, who met with an accident while serving for the US Marine in Afghanistan in 2012, posted on her Twitter page.

Against all the odds, she also wanted to serve the people by utilising the funds behind climbing through her non-profit ‘The Kirstie Ennis Foundation’, according to Magar.

The team will be led by Jamie Morton an UK-based International Military Mountain Guide along with Christopher, he said. The expedition jointly organised by HST and Myrmidon Expeditions has other members including Pete Newland (UK) and Sam Taylor (Kenya). Sam, the first Kenyan to successfully climb Mt Manaslu, also aims to stand atop the roof of the world for the first time from Kenya.

“Pete and Sam are attempting to climb Mt Everest under the banner of ‘ForRangers’ a charity that has been raising money for the welfare of wildlife rangers, who risk their lives every day protecting Africa's most endangered species,” Magar said.

Besides, another member Rizza Ali, 19, aims to become the youngest Kashmiri to climb Mt Everest. “Renowned explorer Mark Wood from the UK, Gethin Davis from Wales, Tom Makin, Rob Gowler and Tom Martienssen from the UK will be also attempting to climb the world’s highest mountain this season,” he added.