It takes a lot of smarts to be a successful mountaineer, and it never hurts to have a smartwatch at the ready for assistance. Melissa Arnot, 31-year-old American Alpinist and Alpina Watches ambassador, believes this to be true, and she’ll be wearing the Alpina Horological Smartwatch to log her activity and effort during her push for the Everest Summit in late May. Not only will she be able to log her steps and distance, but also calories and sleep for the entire expedition.
Arnot is the current Western women’s record holder for Everest summits, and this spring she will attempt to reach the top of Everest without supplementary oxygen using the South Col route. Most climbers attempt Everest with supplementary oxygen, because the oxygen levels at that altitude are only 33% of that at sea level. It takes significantly more time and additional training for a climber to climb without it. Less than 100 summits out of the over 6,500 have been accomplished in this manner, and no American woman has yet climbed Everest without supplementary oxygen.
“This challenge is a truly personal one that will allow me to push my body and test my own limits,” says Arnot. “It is the most difficult thing I have attempted in my climbing career thus far and the idea that the limits of possibility are something I can challenge is incredibly inspiring to me.” And the role of her 39mm stainless steel smartwatch? She explains, “I’m fascinated [about] how my body will react to this challenge and the Alpina Horological Smartwatch will track that performance for me and provide a valuable measurement.” It is Arnot’s intention to wear the Alpina smartwatch during the entire climb.
Arnot will arrive at Everest basecamp sometime in April, and she and her team of four will make climbs to Camps 2, 3 and 4 to acclimatize their bodies prior to their summit push in late May.