Heidi Zimmer, deaf mountain climber extraordinaire, has climbed Mt. Aconcagua, the highest mountain in South America.

As Heidi neared the top of the mountain, a snowstorm stopped her and her fellow climbers. They turned back just a few feet short of the summit.

Heidi Zimmer—Climber extraordinaire

Heidi traveled to Chile, where Mt. Aconcagua rises out of the great Andean chain. While North America has winter, Chile, lying below the equator, has summer. The weather was warm and lovely-at least until Heidi began her trek up the mountain.

At 22,841 feet, Aconcagua is one of the world's highest mountains. While most of its slopes are gentle, its high altitude and treacherous weather make it dangerous.

Heidi was a member of an eight-person team. Four more members joined the team on the mountain. They were from Poland. With the other climbers, Heidi hiked up the mountain for three days to reach the base camp. Mules carried all of their gear.

"We hiked through the Relinchos Valley, a most beautiful canyon," said Heidi.

In the base camp, one of the Polish climbers got Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and had to go back. The mules stayed in the base camp and Heidi and the other climbers carried their gear further up the mountain. They placed the gear in Camp I at 16,300 feet. When Heidi returned to the base camp, she was sick to her stomach.

"I had not vomited in 20 years!" said Heidi, who has climbed many high mountains.

Despite AMS, Heidi continued to climb. From the base camp, she made it to Camp I, then to Camp II, and finally to Camp III.

That's when the weather changed. The snow fell hard and fast, and Heidi and all the climbers stayed in their tents. The next day the sun came out. Heidi joined the remaining climbers as they ascended. The new snow, soft and deep, made hiking difficult. Every step was a struggle. But finally they reached Camp IV, at 19, 600 feet-the last camp before the summit.

After a day of rest, Heidi and the other climbers rose at 5 a.m. At such heights, hiking time is limited. They had only a few hours. At 3 p.m., they had to return to camp. Shelter is critical. Humans do not survive unprotected at such high altitudes.

As the climbers approached the summit, the weather changed again. Snow and wind kicked up, blowing straight into the climbers' faces. Conditions worsened swiftly. At 21,400 feet they knew they had to turn back.

So Heidi returned home with her desire to stand on top of the highest mountain in South America unfulfilled.

But she has a memory like few other people.