FOUR brave Tweed residents are happy to be home after climbing the world’s highest mountain.

Kingscliff residents Jan Gielis, Russell Zahn, Michelle Van den Broek and Suzanne Hawkins, formerly of Tyalgum, did their part for the Leukaemia Foundation by embarking on an once-in-a-lifetime journey to Mt Everest.

After months of preparation and planning, the group’s odyssey kicked off on April 14 when they left Brisbane.

The team headed for Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, to begin the four-week, 18,000 feet trek to Mt Everest’s base camp.

Mr Zahn described the group’s adventure as “challenging” and “life changing”.

“It was very hard to adjust to the altitude and it was a challenging trek for us,” Mr Zahn said.

“The people we met on the trek were very friendly, but it was hard work. It’s something you can only do with purpose, determination and grit.

“You have to find something in yourself to do it, but then you get to see the most extraordinary scenery.”

Tweed ambulance officer Michelle Van den Broek had always dreamed of conquering Mt Everest, but her dream was cut short on the trip when her sister Suzanne became ill.

“Suzanne suffered from sever altitude sickness during the trek. She was sick to such an extent that she had to be choppered out,” Mr Zahn said.

“Michelle had to leave the trek to be with her sick sister, but she has vowed that she will do it again.”

The adventurers now have their feet back on Australian soil and have managed to raise funds for an important foundation all while conquering the wilds of Nepal.