[ON TOP OF THE WORLD: The Natas Singapore Women's Everest Team did Singapore proud by reaching the summit of Mount Everest between 3.45am and 4.53am yesterday, Nepal time. ]

BY DAWN TAY

AS DAWN broke over the Himalayas yesterday, three tired Singaporean women stepped on top of the world - and into the pages of Singapore's history books.

Natas Singapore Women's Everest Team members, pharmaceutical- product specialist Lee Li Hui, 27, copywriter Esther Tan, 26, and studentdevelopment officer Jane Lee, 25, were part of an international group which reached the top of Mount Everest between 3.45am and 4.53am yesterday, Nepal time (6am and 7.08am Singapore time).

The trio are the first Singapore women to reach the summit of the world's tallest peak, at 8,848m.

An audibly relieved Mr Ted Hoong, 29, who has been dating Li Hui for 16 months, told my paper: "It has been a long two months hoping she can make it and live her dream. I'm very happy for her."

Mr Hoong, a logistics analyst, received a call about his girlfriend's success at around 8am yesterday from team member Sim Yi Hui, 26, who was at Base Camp.

And while the other two members, army officer Lee Peh Gee, 32, and business owner Joanne Soo, 39, will be making their own push for the top tomorrow, my paper understands Sim will not be joining them. The 26-year-old training facilitator is understood to be suffering from an old chest injury, sustained through years of preparation, and has descended to Base Camp.

The three women who reached the summit are making their way down and are expected to reach Base Camp in two to three days.

The team's initial push for the summit last week was foiled by bad weather.

The team then split into two so that they could have a higher chance of success.

The trio join the likes of climbers Khoo Swee Chiow and Teo Yen Kai, Singaporean men who have conquered Everest.

Singaporeans my paper spoke to were proud about the women's achievement.

Over 10 posts on the team's Facebook page yesterday included comments like: "You are an inspiration to all of us" and "Well done for flying that flag for us!"

Youth worker Ian Wong, 32, told my paper: "It's a remarkable feat. Such displays of passion by Singaporeans are rare and worthy of celebration."

Lifestyle-programmes executive Gracie Ngoi, 26, who is also a friend of the team members, said: "It's very empowering for Singapore women. They show that we women are capable of achieving great things."

Go to singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg for more pictures of the Everest bid.

For more my paper stories click here.