Record-breaking mountaineer Mollie Hughes to talk in Tranent

Mollie Hughes will stop off in Tranent next month for a presentation, question-and-answer session and book sale.

In 2017, Mollie became the youngest woman to summit the world’s highest peak from both the north and south side, at the age of just 26.

She later skied 702 miles solo from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole, in storm-force winds and temperatures as cold as -45C, for which she also holds a Guinness World Record as the youngest woman to complete the gruelling challenge.

Alison Brown, development officer at The Fraser Centre on Tranent’s Winton Place, decided to organise the fundraiser following a special trip earlier this year to the Annapurna region with local ethical adventure company Ocean Vertical, of which Mollie is managing director.

At the talk on September 5, Mollie will recount her expeditions, sharing photographs and videos, as well as discuss Ocean Vertical’s Himalayan expeditions, her connection with Nepal and the treks run through the company.

There will then be a chance for the audience to ask questions and to get signed copies of her two books, ‘Breathe: Life Lessons from the Edge of the World’ and ‘Blue Scotland’.

Beginning at 7pm, the event is suitable for people of all ages.

All proceeds from the evening support Empowering Women of Nepal, a charity which aims to improve the lives of Nepali women and girls through adventure sports and tourism.

The cause is clause to both Mollie’s heart and Alison’s, having met women benefiting from the charity and deciding that she wanted to give something back.

It is linked to Ocean Vertical’s expedition programme and partnership with 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking.

Tickets are available at eventbrite.com/e/mollie-hughes-at-the-fraser-centre-tickets-1994794114896