Mollie Hughes is a British sports adventurer and explorer who holds the world records for the youngest person to climb both sides of Mount Everest and the youngest woman to ski solo to the South Pole.
Biography
Hughes was born in Devon. She climbed the south side of Mount Everest in 2012 to help tackle her shyness and anxiety and prove that she had the confidence to complete something. Following the first climb, she settled in Edinburgh and found the harsh weather of the Scottish Highlands prepared her well for the climate around Everest. In 2017, she completed a climb of the north side of Everest, travelling with Jon Gupta. In doing so, she set the record for the youngest person to climb both sides of Everest at age 26. In 2019, she helped lead an expedition to Greenland with a group of students from Bathgate Academy. In 2020, she became the youngest woman to ski to the South Pole on her own. The expedition was funded by a £75,000 crowdfunding campaign and sponsorship, using the trip as a fundraiser for Cancer Research UK. Hughes left Hercules Inlet on 13 November 2019, and reached the pole on 10 January the following year. She skied alone while pulling a sled named Boudicca. She had originally hoped to reach the pole on New Year's Day, but was delayed by bad weather, with temperatures approaching −45 degrees Celsius and 30-knot winds. During the journey, whiteout prevented visibility for eight days, requiring Hughes to navigate via compass. After returning from the pole, she recuperated in Chile before returning to Britain. She is one of seven women to travel to the South Pole without stopping for supplies.
Motivational Speaking
Mollie Hughes began talking to schools and corporate groups following her return from Everest in 2012. Since then she has delivered motivational talks to over 50,000 school children in the UK, and well known businesses including Santander, Sky and Bailie Gifford. In 2018 Hughes delivered a TedX talk on "Unlocking Your Resilience" that can be viewed on YouTube.
