"I am down, I am triumphant."
After six months of training, procuring gear, and dreaming about the Khumbu Ice Falls, Karen Brooks packed her bags and headed out the door. It is said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a few steps and this story is reminder of such timeless words. Karen's harrowing journey would take her to the highest peak on the planet, Mount Everest. This, however, was not the pilgrimage of another adrenaline-soaked alpine extremist; Karen was on a mission for much more.
The remarkable story actually began more than three years ago, the tragic day Karen's mother lost her fight against a brain tumor. Determined to continue the struggle after her mother’s passing, Karen Brooks headed out beyond the familiar to the mountains of Nepal. Galvanized by her passion, Karen acted as a one-woman force, taking on the challenge of a lifetime by bringing the fight to this disease and inspiring people the world over.