By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Even to young mountaineers, climbing Mont Blanc is more than a simple challenge ― it is high, tough and most of all, cold, and very few people have conquered it. But to 72-year-old Hwang Gook-hee, it was just another mission that she had to accomplish.
Hwang and 56 year-old Kim Young-hee, both survivors of cancer, reached the top of the 4,810 meters mountain, Monday (local time). Kim said things were tough, but she feels healthier than ever. ``I think the mountains gave me back the energy and goal to live,'' she said to the local Donga Ilbo newspaper.
Mont Blanc was a tough climb. ``I understand that the real fight is within yourself. You have to overcome all the problems and inner conflicts. I thought I was a great person but the mountain proved how humble a woman I am,'' Hwang said.
The two housewives' lives came to a critical point when Hwang was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 53, and Kim was diagnosed with breast cancer at 47, which was later followed by a relapse. They had surgery, but refused to have all the chemotherapy treatments ― Hwang had only 13 sessions out of the necessary 28.
Instead, they remembered that they used to climb mountains. Hwang took up the tools once again and started to wander around mountains in and outside the country. Since then, she had been to the Jungfrau, Kinabalu, Tateyama, Lhoche, Annapurna mountains among many others.
A miracle occurred up― she survived cancer and now feels younger than ever.
``Doctors told me that my body functions as that of a 48-year-old,'' Hwang said. Kim also was told that she was in remission this spring.
So, which one is their favorite mountain? Which one is the best?
``I say Mt. Bukhan in Seoul. I know many Seoulites are searching for beautiful scenery, but I say you have it all there,'' Hwang said.