Thanks Everyone for your great messages! I really appreciate all your kind
words!
The Possibilites are endless...
Bicycle Trip Down the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)! July 2012
Meagan had to put a trip together pretty quick - so she chose to
do something she's always wanted to do! Bike down the PCH!!
She will depart from Victoria, British Columbia and carry-on down
to San Diego, California (or thereabouts!)
She is going to take the opportunity to explore the beautiful Pacific Coast:
exploring the forests, sand dunes, and beaches!
Yup - she'll be going solo and camping - but she's likely to
meet many interesting folks along the way!
With luck, she'll run into a few internet cafes along the way
and provide status updates as she goes! And at the very least,
she'll post a Trip Report when she returns!
Meagan is Going Away for a While ... ... Expedition Planning Will Continue! 16 June 2012
Meagan will be heading out of Canada for a one-year period.
Although she will not be readily available for speaking engagements,
life will continue close to normal, in that she will continue to work hard
and continue her research
and preparations for her upcoming expedition series.
She will announce the expedition series when she has come up with a
proper title, but the concept is solid and planning is underway.
Hint: The Desert Expedition seems like it may be the first in the series!!
Meagan is expected back in Canada Summer 2013 - and by then, she should have more info
on how things are proceeding!
It's pretty cool - so please stay tuned!!
Meagan is Awarded an Honoray Doctorate of Laws from Laurentian University! 7 June 2012
On 7 June 2012, Meagan was awarded a most humbling honour,
an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario.
"When I first received the news, I was overwhelmed! To be recognized in this way for adventuring
is unique and I am extremely grateful and humbled. I will do my very best to uphold the intent
and meaning of this honour."
Next Expedition Series In-Development ! February 2012
It's time to embark on another adventure! It'll be quite "extreme" and
promises to have something for everyone!
Please Stay Tuned - more info will follow shortly!
Success on Ama Dablam! November 2011
Never one to leave something unfinished, Meagan first attempted
Ama Dablam (Nepal) in 2010 - it was too early in the season when she climbed
to Camp 2 on the peak, but it was worth a shot!
This time around - she and the team she climbed with "Field Touring Alpine",
first acclimatized on nearby mountain, "Island Peak" and then climbed
Ama Dablam.
Stay tuned for more adventures!
If you had one year to live the life of your dreams....
What would you do?
A YEAR IN THE LIFE 1 November
2009 to 31 October 2010
In 2009, Meagan McGrath departed on a journey
that promised to be one of those rare and exciting
expeditions that tests the will, daring and skill
of the adventurer. In a single year, Meagan skied
to the South Pole - Solo, and she attempted to climb 5
Himalayan great peaks. Successfully reaching the tops of
mountains is the goal when climbing...but sometimes plans have to change
based on conditions. Meagan successfully reached the summit
of Lhotse, but on the other mountains, weather and time became
show-stoppers. "Making intelligent and safe decisions is required
if I want to try again - and I do!"
Meagan attempted to climb 5 Himalayan peaks over a 7 month period.
First attempting Lhotse,
with the luck of good weather and a great climbing
partner, Pemba, Meagan attained the summit on 23 May 2010. After the success
on Lhoste, Meagan travelled to Pakistan to attempt
Broad Peak and
K2. Unfortunately, a last minute
change in the situation with a climbing partner left Meagan in a bind.
Fortunately, she was invited to join a larger expedition team, FTA, but
she still did not have a climbing
"partner". However, the commaradrie of the team and larger logistics
structure certainly contributed to a positive experience,
compared to if she climbed alone.
and for
that, she is very grateful to FTA. With a lot of "no summits"
under her belt, she was super keen to make Cho
Oyu work out...but poor weather
conditions put a snag in that plan. "Climbing is a sport that has a lot
of variables, many of which are out of your control. If you can't go with the
flow and make the necessary safe (and often, unpopular) decisions,
you could find yourself severely injured or dead." After having climbed four
Himalayan peaks, Meagan had originally planned to climb Shishapangma,
but beta (ie information) about the climbed revealed that the mountain was still particularily
difficult on the summit ridge - leading to very few summits in past few years.
With this info, and the circumstance of few summits, Meagan sought a summit
on Ama Dablam, a gorgeous 6812m / 22,349ft peak. However, with time running out
on her leave-without-pay, she easily attained high camp (Camp 2 at 6000m / 19,685ft)
but had to pack up and make haste to Kathmandu for the return journey to Canada.
Thank you to the Sponsors
who helped make Mountain Magic happen!
An adventure like this does not happen without the support and generosity
of so many wonderful organizations, companies and private individuals.
I'm so thankful to these individuals and companies who have supported me in this difficult quest.
I'm uplifted by the spirit in which these donations were provided to me and I'm very grateful.
It was difficult being on the mountain, staring at the summit and knowing that I would not
reach my goal, time and time again. But knowing that I had friends and support from home,
folks who trusted that I would make the best and safest decision helped me face the
"no summit" with dignity. Thank you.
Merit Travel Group I first became aquainted with Merit Travel Group when I co-guided an Everest/Gokyo Ri Trek in the Khumbu region of Nepal with them. It was an extremely rewarding experience, and I learned alot about guiding a trekking group! Thank you to Merit, for their support in this exciting climbing adventure - something I know a lot more about!LOL!!
LaPrairie Incorporated A supporter of my adventures from the beginning, thank you to LaPrairie Inc.
Truffle Treasures whose proprietor, Lara Vaarre, is a dear friend and prepared, not only wonderful truffles for my expedtion, but she also provided me with my sled bag and a home for the year!!
Icebreaker whose Merino wool products kept me warm, dry and not very stinky - and I wore the crap out of these clothes! Even after all the adventure I put them through, I'm still able to wear everything!
7 Systems whose endurance supplements kept me healthy during the difficult effort of maintaining physical health in extreme conditions.
And of course, a very special mention to all of the Trekking Sponsors who have contributed to
the expedition. Without the Trekking sponsors, I'd be in a world of hurt! Thank you for your contributions, you have made a huge difference, and I am very grateful.
Danielle Cardinal This woman, is amazing! She organized, with the help of Michelle Nowlan and Kim Fawcett, among others!, a very successful, and fun, fundraiser. A total suprise and super encouraging, I went on my way to the Himalaya knowing I had the support of alot of people!! Thank you to Danielle, and to all who attended this successful event!
Qi Wang Actually, a friend of Qi's, named Rell DeShaw, gave Qi a birthday gift of sponsoring me. What a generous and fantastic idea! Thank you Rell and Qi!
Meagan successfully skied, solo, over 1095km, unassisted and unsupported
to the South Pole,
dragging over 200lbs
of food, fuel, equipment in a sled for 40 days.
Thank you to the Sponsors
who helped make the Antarctic Odyssey happen!
An adventure like this does not happen without the support and generosity
of so many wonderful organizations, companies and private individuals.
Mount Everest Expedition 2007
Meagan McGrath has successfully climbed Mount Everest, and achieved her goal to
climb the "Seven Summits". She became the First Sudburian and the First Canadian
Forces member to climb Mount Everest and achieve the Seven Summits. She is also
the youngest Canadian Woman to climb the Seven Summits.
Who is Meagan McGrath?
Meagan McGrath holds the rank of Major, and is a Regular Member in the Canadian Air Force.
She continues to pursue physical challenges that test her skills as an
adventurer, her mental and spiritual strength, and her expedition planning
abilities.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Becoming a partner in Meagan McGrath's adventures provides excellent
benefits for your company.
Media exposure
Company logo on gear
Banner with company name on the summit of the World's highest mountains and at
camps across the world's coldest and hottest deserts
'Impossible2Possible' (i2P) is a non-profit
organization dedicated to inspiring, educating,
and equipping a generation of global problem
solvers to achieve environmental and human
sustainability. To this end, i2P hosts "adventures
that inspire and educate young people to protect
the planet and its people." The goal of i2P is to
use adventure to cultivate a generation of young
leaders whose direct experience and training prepares
them to lead sustainability initiatives. To find
out more, please visit:
www.impossible2possible.com
Meagan has been requested to speak at various types of
events, as a Keynote speaker, a motivational speaker, and
as a storyteller, as
she recounts her mountain climbing adventures.
Keep up to date by visiting the Media Page
to check out all of her upcoming
engagements .