4-year-old Czech girl becomes youngest to reach base camp at Everest

Zara, a four-year-old girl originally from the Czech Republic, has set a new record by reaching the base camp of Mount Everest. Accompanied by her father and seven-year-old brother, Zara has reportedly become the youngest girl to ever achieve this feat at the age of four years and five months.

An Instagram account under her brother's name confirmed the success on Jan. 7, and added that the family is currently making their weeks-long return from the base camp. The total length of the family's expedition to and from the base camp will cover approximately 270 kilometers, with a cumulative elevation gain of more than 20,000 meters.

The challenging journey exposed the team to harsh conditions, including temperatures as low as -25 degrees Celsius at the Everest base camp. The expedition faced accommodation challenges in hostels with minimal amenities, including cold rooms with temperatures dropping to -11 degrees Celsius.

Despite these conditions, Zara's father, David Šifra, emphasized the importance of careful acclimatization, monitoring blood oxygen saturation, and progressing gradually.

Zara, who has been raised in the demanding environment of rural Malaysia, showcased exceptional physical conditioning. The family's unique approach to Zara's upbringing involves imitating the traditional lifestyles of local tribes.

From an early age, Zara has walked 5-10 kilometers daily with cumulative elevation gains of 300-600 meters, and walked a total of over 2,200 kilometers in the jungle in 2023. The family's dedication to physical and mental development prepared Zara for the demanding trek in the Himalayas.

"Little Zara never bathes in warm water, on the contrary, she adds ice, which is probably why the cold didn't cause her any problems," stated Zara's brother Saša on the Instagram profile.

"During the march, there was no problem, thanks to her very good physical condition, little Zara even outpaced hundreds of other trekkers, with a few exceptions."

Residing in Malaysia, Zara is a citizen of the Czech Republic and Canada, and speaks Czech, Chinese, and English. Her family's unconventional approach to parenting has sparked discussions about the physical and mental capacities of young children.

You can learn more about the family's adventures through their Instagram and Facebook pages.