A clear view of Ben Lomond in the evening light provided an appropriate backdrop to a talk about the attaining of seven very significant mountain summits. Vicky Jack has climbed the highest mountain in each of the seven continents, which is an extraordinary achievement, made all the more special by the fact that Vicky did not even start hill-walking until she was in her mid-thirties. She was accompanied by Anna Magnusson who wrote The Sky’s the Limit, which charts the tale of Vicky’s quest to climb the seven summits.

The lounge of The Kilted Skirlie quickly filled and as Vicky and Anna took centre stage, it was hard to equate the elegant, slightly built lady, with the conquest of Everest, never mind other peaks such as the notorious Mount McKinley. Anna told us how she became involved in writing the book; her father, Magnus, had presented Vicky with an honorary degree and told Anna about Vicky’s achievements. Anna was intrigued and arranged to meet Vicky. They decided to collaborate on a book, working on it for 3 months together, meeting at week-ends when Anna would submit Vicky to lengthy interviews; Anna wanted to probe Vicky’s motivation and inner-drive, as well as recounting the events. Anna was impressed with Vicky’s iron will and determination, which belies her gentle demeanour.

Vicky told us about climbing in Alaska, Antarctica and the Himalayas, all of which saw her in situations where she experienced serious danger or mishap. She fell over a ledge with a 3000 foot drop whilst coming off Mount McKinley, fortunately only falling around 8 to 10 feet, eventually managing to use a jumar to make her way back up the rope she was attached to. She got caught in a storm that lasted for five days, with 100 mph winds, in Antarctica after they had climbed the mountain, and although her party lost their own tents they managed to find the Mess Tent where they found shelter. It took two attempts to reach the summit of Everest; Vicky was caught in a storm the first time as she approached the summit and retreated to the camp (minus oxygen and her Sherpa who had abandoned her) but the second time she attained the summit. Vicky recounted her adventures in a very self-effacing and humorous way and Anna emphasised that Vicky embodied the need to possess mental strength just as much as physical strength. There were many questions for the pair of them and we even explored the challenge that needing the toilet poses for ladies in all-male parties combined with sub-zero temperatures!