A Memorial University professor wants to use the power of the Internet to help motivate children in this province to become more physically active while she's trekking up the highest mountain in the world.

Dr. TA Loeffler, a professor in the School of Human Kinetics and Recreation, is in the midst of training to climb alluring Mount Everest, which is a staggering 29,028 (8,848 metres) feet high. Its summit - between the countries of China and Nepal - is higher above sea level than any other mountain on the globe.

Dr. Loeffler, an outdoor enthusiast and expert climber, said conquering Everest is a lifelong dream of hers and one she hopes to fulfill in the next year or so. She insisted this expedition would also be an opportunity to inspire children and teens to get more active.

“I want and hope to inspire the children of Newfoundland and Labrador to become more physically active by having them follow the expedition online through cybercasting and develop physical education curriculum materials that PE teachers can use in their classrooms based on the climb,” said Dr. Loeffler, one of the most respected educators at Memorial and winner of the 2005 President's Award for Distinguished Teaching.

Tackling Mount Everest would come on the heels of another outdoor adventure that put Dr. Loeffler into the history books last summer. She gained provincial attention after becoming the first Memorial professor to reach the peak of Mount McKinley in Alaska's Denali National Park and Preserve - North America's highest mountain. McKinley is 20,320 (6,194 metres) feet above sea level and has a vertical rise greater than Mount Everest, making it the steepest mountain in the world.

• From July 21, 2005, Gazette, Memorial prof hits the roof of the continent

Dr. Loeffler said making it to the top of Mount Everest has been on her mind since last year.

That's why she has developed her own exercise regime to help prepare for her latest venture. Climbing in the high Himalayas is always a dangerous undertaking where there is a about a 5 per cent death rate on the mountain. She's hoping to mitigate some of the risks through careful preparation, her own mountain experience and skillful weather prediction.

“I'm preparing for Everest much the same as for Denali,” she said recently. “That includes intensive physical preparation including strength, cardio, flexibility and balance training, along with mental preparation such as meditation.

“I would like to climb Everest before I turn 45,” she added. “One scenario could have me climbing it this September, another next April, and another the following April. The ultimate timing will depend on how fundraising, lead-up climbs, and training go. It is an enormous undertaking and many things need to come together in support.”

Motivating young children and teens isn't the only inspiration pushing Dr. Loeffler to climb Everest - she also trying to set another record.

“Students will be able to follow the cybercast of the expedition,” she said. “I will bring back extensive knowledge and experience in winter environments and climbing which I can then offer to students in my classes. I'm mulling over the idea of trying to break the world record for the highest lesson on Earth which was delivered from the North Col on Everest at 27,000 feet.”

Before her name is in that history book, though, Dr. Loeffler is gearing up for yet another adventure. She's currently training and fundraising to reach a peak known as Cho Oyu, a neighbour of Mount Everest and the sixth highest peak in the world. It's also a prerequisite for Everest.

Dr. Loeffler has her work cut out for her. Travelling to Cho Oyu will cost $20,000 and Everest will cost between $60-75,000. That's why she's hoping to recruit some donors. She recently held a multimedia presentation on the St. John’s campus.

For more information on Dr. Loeffler, visit her website.

• Related article: From Dec. 21, 2005: Prof suits up for more outdoor challenges in 2006