UP IN THE MOUNTAINS

Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner is an extraordinary mountain climber. She has climbed 14 of the world’s highest mountains, which are all over 8,000 meters high, Because the air is thinner, most climbers need extra oxygen to reach the top of these mountains. However, Kaltenbrunner is the first woman to climb all 14 mountains without extra oxygen.

Kaltenbrunner started climbing when she was growing up in the mountains in Austria. At 13 years old, she climbed her first big mountain, Sturzhahn at 2,028 meters high. She became a nurse, but always had a passion for climbing. At 32 years old, Kaltenbrunner climbed her fourth major mountain—Nanga Parbat in Pakistan—and decided to become a full-time mountain climber.

In 2007, Kaltenbrunner had an accident while climbing Dhaulagiri in Nepal—the world's seventh highest mountain, She was inside her tent one moming when an avalanche struck. When the avalanche stopped, it was very dark and she didn't know where she was. She had a small knife, and cut a hole in the tent. Slowly, Kaltenbrunner managed to get out of the deep snow and to the surface.

Kaltenbrunner recovered from the accident. “I couldn't stop climbing,” she says. “This is my life. A year later | returned to the same spot. There was the most beautiful sunrise | have ever seen: She climbed the 14” mountain—K2 between Pakistan and China—in 2011. Although she has climbed through deep snow, freezing temperatures, and dangerous rockfalls, Kaltenbrunner says she feels quite safe most of the time. “The most important thing is to have passion inside.” she says. “If you really love something, you'll find a way to reach it”

B. Read the article. Circle T for True or F for False.

1. Kaltenbrunner has climbed 15 of the world’s highest mountains.

2. It is more difficult to breathe at the top af the word's highest mountains.

3. Kaltenbrunner became a full-time nurse when she was 32 years old.

4. Raltenbrunner had an accident while dimbing in Pakistan.

5. Kaltenbrunner was outsede when the avalanche struck.

6. Although there are risks, Kaltenbrunner enjoys climbing mountains.