Jeannette is the 1st South African woman to summit Manaslu, the 8th highest mountain in the world. She is also the first South African to ever attempt Dhaulagiri, 7th highest mountain. She is passionate about leading individuals and teams to achieve things they never thought possible. She consistently achieves this with enthusiasm and empathy.
Jeannette balances a corporate career leading the mining services business for a blue-chip Australian company with her mountaineering pedigree and passion.
Jeannette is a Non-Executive Board member and holds a PhD from the Colorado School of Mines.
Jeannette has been chief instructress for Veld and Vlei, now Outward Bound; a guide for the South African National Parks Board; and the first female leader in 20 years for the Mountain Club of South Africa’s winter camp.
8000m mountaineer - with Manaslu summited, and 1 attempt on Dhaulagiri (first South African ever); my mountaineering goal is 7x 8000m summits, my version of the "7 Summits"
The challenges and realities of 8000m are extreme and under anticipated.
I've grown up in the mountains organically acquiring knowledge over a lifetime (not coming to this via a milestone birthday or event as many others have)
But did get to over 100kg and went from a couch back to 8000m - which took 5 years from decision to attempt 1 and eventual summit.
I know about goal setting and resilience and how to navigate a career (one of a few women in underground mining production at the start of my career) and a time consuming interest.
As the Mountain Mentor I can fast track the learning curve for people, saving time not making mistakes or being the best prepared for a mountain adventure: be it Kili, Inca Trail, Island Peak or Everest
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Show notes
Being based in Melbourne
Growing up in South Africa
Getting into mountaineering
Going out with the Mountain Club of South Africa
Climbing her first mountain at 8 years old - Lion’s Head
Her dreams as a little girl
Loving the outdoors and enjoying spending time in nature
Wanting to work in nature and conservation
Wanting to climb the big mountains around the world, over 8,000 m
Lack of female role models in the 80s and 90s
Not knowing it was practically possible to climb these mountains
Making big changes to her life in 2013
The realities of climbing 8,000 m mountains
Being overwhelmed and confused at the start
Making around a start by walking around the block
Getting over the mental hurdle
Starting with something very easy
Not having an expectations
What it’s like being at altitude
Climbing her first 6,000 m peak in Peru
What’s going on mentally while climbing mountains
Mental resilience and mental grit
How mountaineering has changed over the years
Wanting to climb Manaslu Mountain in Nepal (eighth-highest mountain in the world at 8,163 metres)
The biggest challenge of climbing Manaslu
Dealing with queues on the mountains
Handing the frustration of being stuck in the mountains
Being mindful of where you are
Cold management and oxygen management
Practical information regarding summiting Manaslu
Wanting to climb 7 - 8,000 metre peaks
Next mountain to climb - Dhaulagiri in Nepal
Practical information regarding climbing Dhaulagiri
Magical Moment in the mountains!
Mountain leadership and mentoring
Final words of advice to motivate and inspire you to step outside your comfort zone
Social Media
Website - www.mcgillsmountains.com Instagram - @mcgills_mountains
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