From the mountain’s peak, UQ student sets her eyes on the stars
For as long as she can remember, Emerald Gaydon has set her eyes on the stars on her quest to become an astronaut. On a recent adventure to the Himalayas, she felt so close she could almost touch them.
The rising physics star and UQ Bachelor of Science (Physics) student embarked on a successful summit of Tsorku Peak in Nepal late last year with the National University of Singapore’s Mountaineering Club, while on student exchange as part of a Westpac Asian Exchange Scholarship.
UQ student Emerald Gaydon during her summit of Tsorku Peak in the Himalayas. Image: Chew Chi Ying
UQ student Emerald Gaydon during her summit of Tsorku Peak in the Himalayas. Image: Chew Chi Ying
Reaching the peak that sits at 5749 metres in altitude, Emerald jokes she’s just beginning to regain the feeling in her toes.
“The expedition took us around 20 days, including many cold nights in tents, where the temperature dropped below -20 degrees Celsius,” she said.
“On one night, I filled an uninsulated water bottle with boiling water and put it in my sleeping bag for some warmth. When I woke up, the water inside was solid ice.”
Where is Tsorku Peak?
Tsorku Peak is a mountain located in Langtang National Park, Bagmati Province of Nepal.
The selection trials for the mountaineering team took place for a few weeks at the beginning of Emerald’s exchange semester last year, and she was selected in the final team of 20 out of a field of 500.
But things got off to a rocky start, with Emerald struck down by severe food poisoning on the first day of trekking.
“This lasted for 10 days and unfortunately I had to keep hiking with my 15-kilogram pack for up to 10 hours each day, without being able to keep food down for energy,” she said.
“Meanwhile, I was still acclimatising to the increasing altitude and decreasing oxygen levels.
“I got a break from the food poisoning just in time to make the 12-hour summit push, powered by force-fed porridge and Chokito bars.
“It’s the highest land-based altitude that I’ve been to, and I can say with considerable confidence that it’s likely the highest altitude a Chokito bar has been to.
“In all seriousness, it was such a valuable learning experience. I learnt a lot about the importance of grit and what I can persevere through, and it was a genuine honour to spend that time with the mountaineering team.
“I feel like it won’t be long until you’ll catch me on the next peak.”
Emerald credits the mountain guides from the Himalaya Summit club, led by Tusli Gurung from the National University of Singapore’s Mountaineering Club, for making the expedition possible.
“I also want to thank our guide Purna Gurung and my teammate Chelsea Zhao, who stayed with me when I fell sick and who helped give me the strength to keep going,” she said.
“And thank you, too, to my family who – while a continent away – were always there for me.”
When Emerald’s not scaling the world’s tallest mountains, she's focusing on even greater heights, with the dream of one day becoming an astronaut.
This incredible ambition led to an unexpected opportunity in 2022, with STEMPunks hiring her as a master of ceremonies (MC) for their international SPACE2101 programs.
The program’s aim is to introduce around 200 high-school students per camp to work opportunities in the space industry, while using technology and design thinking to solve problems and model ideas.
Emerald Gaydon navigates the rocky terrain during her summit of Tsorku Peak.
Emerald Gaydon navigates the rocky terrain during her summit of Tsorku Peak.
The stunning scenery that awaited Emerald Gaydon and her team during their summit of Tsorku Peak.
The stunning scenery that awaited Emerald Gaydon and her team during their summit of Tsorku Peak.
Feeling on top of the word after reaching the summit of Tsorku Peak.
Feeling on top of the word after reaching the summit of Tsorku Peak.
Emerald is no stranger to speaking in front of large groups and has regularly spoken at the World Science Festival in her role as administrator of the UQ Science Demo Troupe, a science outreach organisation aimed at engaging the public and school students in science.
“In my role, I introduce and facilitate activities and interview invited guests for the programs, which include industry experts, university professionals and, most notably, retired NASA and ESA astronauts,” Emerald said.
Emerald Gaydon on stage as MC at for the STEMPunks international SPACE2101 programs.
Emerald Gaydon on stage as MC at for the STEMPunks international SPACE2101 programs.
“It’s surreal to sit down to dinner or breakfast and casually talk to someone like retired NASA astronaut Dan Tani about his 6 space walks from the International Space Station.
“A highlight for me was hosting a panel interview with 4 astronauts in Saudi Arabia and having a visit from His Royal Highness Sultan bin Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud – Saudi Arabia’s first astronaut, first royal astronaut and the first Muslim astronaut.”
Whether it’s to the apex of a mountain in Nepal or to outer space, Emerald is continuing to set her sights high when it comes to her career ambitions.
“I plan to complete a PhD, and it’s my hope I’ll successfully combine my love of science and exploration to forge a career that involves both research and communication,” Emerald said.
“I would love to be a documentary presenter – a mix between Brian Cox and Steve Backshall – and I would also love to be a university lecturer, teaching the next generation of STEM students.
“My ultimate aim is to be an astronaut, but there are many exciting opportunities I can take advantage of on the way. It’s just one small step after another.”
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