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73-year-old Glendale nurse says Mt. Kilimanjaro climb was greatest adventure yet

Betty Schley said for her next adventure she might be eyeing Mount Everest.

PHOENIX — When it comes to going on adventures, 73-year-old Valley resident Betty Schley's has a pretty long list.

Schley said she's been fortunate enough to travel all around the world. Her world travels have taken her to all seven continents where she's been scuba diving in the Red Sea and even ice diving in Canada.

But the full-time pediatric nurse at Banner Thunderbird in Glendale says climbing Mount Kilimanjaro tops them all.

"Top of the mountain, top of the list," Schley said.

Climbing to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, the world's tallest free-standing mountain, is no easy task. But for Schley, it was just something unique to do for her birthday.

Schley said the idea came about on a trip to see a friend in South Africa.  

"We did a safari and we talked Kilimanjaro," Schley said. "She said, ‘I want to climb it’ and I said 'OK let’s do it.' And that’s what got me going.”

So Schley traded in her nursing scrubs for eight days to hike 68 miles on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. She eventually reached the Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. The journey took Schley eight days.

According to a release from the hospital, Schley says her work with children is what inspires her to stay healthy, active and young at heart. She began her nursing career as a volunteer when she was just 13 years old.

"Every day is a challenge and it’s so great when a patient walks home when we’ve made them better," Schley said.

 And as for advice she has for others, Schley says to just be thankful that you're here. 

“Enjoy every day that you have and always look forward to something new every day," she said. "And try to learn something new every day."

Schley said for her next adventure she might be eyeing Mount Everest.

"But it’s not at the top of the list just yet,” she said.

 

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