This week's feature is with Williams sophomore Gemma Holt. Holt and her family just returned from summiting Mount Vinson, the tallest peak in Antarctica at 16,050 feet.
row2k - You just summited the highest mountain in Antarctica, Mt. Vinson, how did this trip come about?
Gemma Holt - This trip was proof that a sense of adventure is genetic. My dad is working his way towards climbing the Seven Summits, which are the tallest mountains on every continent. He promised that each of his three daughters could choose one mountain to climb with him. I summited Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2009 but when my younger sister decided she wanted to climb Vinson I refused to be left behind. We spent more than a year preparing and training for the climb. Actually arriving in Antarctica was one of the most surreal experiences I’ve ever had.
row2k - What were some of the highlights of the trip/climb?
Gemma Holt - Reaching the summit is always an emotional experience, but one of the best moments happened about an hour before we got to the top of the mountain. After one of the steepest pitches, we reached an overlook where we could see the entire scramble to the summit. That was the first time I knew without a doubt that we were going to make it. No one said anything, but I could feel a sense of resolution and determination throughout the entire team. A lot of the other highlights were small moments around camp, such as making up songs with my sister in our tent or occasionally pausing on the rope line to turn around and take in the unbelievable view behind me. Strung together, the little moments are what keep you going when you’re cold and exhausted and desperate for a shower.
row2k - What was the most difficult part of the climb?
Gemma Holt - One of the basic principles of dealing with altitude is “work high, sleep low”, which means that you go up and down the same sections of the mountain multiple times. This is mentally challenging because it feels like you’re giving up hard-earned progress towards the top. I really struggled our first time down the fixed lines, which cover 1200 vertical feet and take about 5 hours to ascend. Once we reached the bottom, I looked back up the face with the sinking feeling that in a few days I was going to have to go down them again. You know how tough it’s going to be when you wake up in the morning and you just have to find a way to cope with repetitive self-inflicted pain.
row2k - Are you planning to climb more mountains in the future?
Gemma Holt - I am definitely planning to climb more mountains in the future. I’m not ready to commit myself to the Seven Summits, but mountaineering is hopefully something that will be part of my life for many years to come. I’m fortunate to call Seattle home because there are so many accessible natural resources and opportunities to be outdoors. Spending time in the mountains has made an enormous impact on my life and has enabled me to see incredible places all over the world.
row2k - To what extent did your rowing experience help you during the trip?
Gemma Holt - Like rowing, mountaineering is a sport that requires both mental and physical stamina. Success in either requires a willingness to accept pain and discomfort. The drive to push yourself to your physical limit stroke after stroke lends itself well to the process of getting up a mountain step after step. On challenging sections, I would imagine my coxswain’s voice in my head, counting power tens or making calls for rhythm. Rhythm is actually a really important part of climbing. Since most of our days required between 6 and 12 hours of work, pacing yourself physically and mentally can make a big difference in how successful you are.
row2k - How did you get your start in rowing and what do you like most about the sport?
Gemma Holt - I started rowing as a freshman in high school. I’m actually a third-generation rower – my grandfather rowed in an undefeated lightweight 8+ at Harvard and my dad is still on the water as a member of the Ancient Mariners club in Seattle. I rowed for four years in high school at Holy Names Academy and was fortunate to be exposed to amazing coaches and incredible teammates. I’m in my second year of rowing for Williams and I love the sport just as much as I did my first day on the water. My favorite thing about rowing is the way it rewards hard work. There is no better feeling than seeing how your hours spent in the weight room pay off or locking into a rhythm and feeling the boat fly across the water. I love racing, but many of the greatest victories happen before you see your competition. Having to channel every ounce of diligence, persistence, and patience that I have has taught me a lot about myself as a person and as an athlete.
row2k - How has this season gone, and what are your goals for the spring?
Gemma Holt - We’re right in the depths of winter training, which seems to last forever when your lake is frozen from November to April. The team has been making a lot of progress in the off season and we’re excited to see how that pays off this spring. We’re always fighting for a spot at the top of the podium but I’m mostly looking forward to getting back on the water and seeing how fast we can go.
row2k - What are you studying at Williams and do you have any plans yet for after rowing?
Gemma Holt - I haven’t officially declared a major yet, but in all likelihood I’m studying Environmental Policy and English. I don’t have any plans yet after I graduate, but I’d like to be in a place that allows me to spend time in the mountains and on the water.
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