Even temporary blindness could not stop a Dundee High School pupil from conquering the world’s most daunting mountain range.
Harriet Wood, 16, received the prestigious Les Morgan award for leadership from the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) in recognition of her inspirational exploits on a five-week-long expedition in the Himalayas.
With 48 other explorers, the S5 pupil headed for India for an RGS climbing trip that included mapping glaciers and stars.
Camping in the wild, Harriet dealt with all that the harsh mountain environment could throw at her, including a short-term issue with her vision.
Harriet said: “The maps weren’t very good so getting from one place to another was difficult.
“During the trip I also managed to go blind for a week, owing to altitude sickness. I had to be guided around camp but another girl suffered Hape (High-altitude pulmonary edema) and had to be guided off the mountain.”
Having shown an aptitude for handling extreme challenges such as these, Harriet was one of only three people identified by the expedition leader as having demonstrated the outstanding leadership qualities which the award recognises.
She was presented with the award by Teddy Watson, chairman of the British Exploring Society.
To pay for her place on the exhibition, Harriet staged several fundraisers, including having her head shaved an event that also raised money for Maggie’s Centre.