Moira Clay and Karin Smith tackled the highest peak in the Italian Alps.
Camera IconMoira Clay and Karin Smith tackled the highest peak in the Italian Alps. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Alps trek to magical place

Staff ReporterMelville Gazette

These are the words chosen by Telethon Adventurer Professor Moira Clay to describe her recent climb to the top of the highest peak in the Italian Alps (Melville Times, July 23).

‘I fell in love with the mountains last year and (co-climber and close friend) Karin did this year,’ she said.

‘They are bewitching.

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‘It is a place, for me, where you feel very close and connected with loved ones who have passed on or who are far away.’

Moira said there were tough times during the climb, but thoughts of those who had tackled bigger obstacles kept them going.

‘We both thought about the kids with cancer who are doing it tough and we both thought about Elliot (Parish, in whose honour the Adventurers was formed).

‘It really felt like he was present.

‘We have both changed forever without a shadow of a doubt,’ Moira said.

‘The experience has brought Karin and I closer together and it has brought Rick Parish (Elliot’s father and Adventurers founder) and I closer together.

‘On day one, when I struggled a bit walking up to the hut because of a cold, Rick waited for me so we could arrive at the hut together.

‘Solidarity, pride and knowing people have got your back ” these were themes that came up again and again.’