MEMBERS of the Natas Singapore Women's Everest Team returned last night from their successful expedition in Nepal to a rousing welcome.

The team's patron, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, was present at the airport to welcome them home.

The return marked a successful national mountaineering expedition which put five out of the six members on the top of Mount Everest.

It also made them the first Singaporean women to stand on the world's highest peak at 8,850m.

The team's two-prong strategy paid off when the first summit team, comprising Ms Lee Lihui, Ms Esther Tan and Ms Jane Lee, reached the top of Mount Everest on May 20.

Two days later, team members Joanne Soo and Lee Peh Gee joined them at the top.

Team co-leader Sim Yihui did not make the ascent due to recurring chest pains.

Natas-Swet was formed in 2004 with the aim of sending the first team of Singaporean women to the world's highest peak.

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