Mountaineering Mum set for Aconcagua

BY JULIE SEAMER

Meet Eileen Robberds – a mountaineering Mum, who is on her way to climbing all 7 of the highest mountain summits in the world. Proudly sponsored by Aussie Bodies, Eileen is a 57 year old woman with guts. She has already scaled Mt Kosciusko (the southern hemisphere's highest mountain), Mt Kilimanjaro (highest peak in the African continent), and more recently hit Mt Elburus in Russia (Europe's highest peak). Her next stop is Mt Aconcagua in South America.

What makes a mature working Mum heave 25kg+ packs on her back, and head for the most inhospitable parts of the earth?

Determination.

Since 2004, Eileen has been part of a very unique, and some would say, elite group of Sydney mother's, who walk the road less travelled. Juggling the challenges of motherhood and family commitments, with career and endless time constraints, these women, including Eileen, now form the ever-growing group 'Wild Women on Top'. Every week several groups of Wild Women train in daylight and darkness, carrying packs and trekking poles; sometimes head-torches, to achieve ultimate fitness and embrace adventures most would shy from. Weekend journeys include anything from rock-climbing, abseiling, canyoning and hard-core hikes, loaded with tents and food, or participating in adventure sport activities such as rogaining or the gruelling Trailwalker event whereby participants must hike 100km within 24 hours.

Eileen is no stranger to this game. As one of the elder women in the group, she also seems one of the toughest. Living out of Sydney, Eileen hits the road 2-3 times a week, to join the group, with a goal in mind – to prepare her mind and body for her another mountaineering expedition.

Due to be standing atop of Mt Aconcagua in early February this New Year, Eileen supplements her diet with Aussie Bodies Protein Revival drinks and Protein FX and bars. She says "I have always had Aussie Bodies bars for their convenience and high nutrition. On Mondays I'm at work by 7.30am, put in a 10-11 hour day then go straight to training. We hike until 10.30 or 11pm at night and I don't arrive home until 12.30am. The bars keep me going".

When she is mountaineering Eileen reports that she is sometimes so tired from effort and altitude issues that she doesn't have the energy to eat. For this expedition she will pack Protein Break bars; because they are light and yummy, yet still provide a little protein with much needed carbohydrates, to replenish her energy reserves.

For the rest of the week, Eileen swims 2.2km with an adult squad, does at least 2 x 2 hour sessions at the gym including cardio via bike and treadmill, with core strength and stretching, and more hard-core training with the 'hard-core' women of the group.

"People in my office can't believe how much energy I have compared to them and they are in their mid 20's". Simply motivated to be fit and healthy, Eileen believes that her 'sport' helps her to feel and look younger. While many peers find her an inspiration, she adds that "some think I am rather crazy climbing mountains at my age"!.

Eileen's motto:

You don't have to be the fittest or the strongest or the fastest to get where you want to go

For more information on Eileen, check out her profile at the Wild Women on Top site, and stay tuned for more reports on our Mountaineering Mum, as she heads overseas to Mt Aconcagua later this month.

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