NEW DELHI (AP) — A social charity says the 13-year-old daughter of poor Indian farmers has become the youngest girl to climb Mount Everest.

Malavath Poorna says she and a team of Nepalese climbing guides reached the summit on May 25 from the northern side in Tibet.

A smiling Poorna told reporters Wednesday in New Delhi that she faced extreme cold, difficult terrain, personal fear and dead bodies on her journey up the world’s tallest mountain. But she “shed joyful tears” when she reached the top and saw “mighty mountains and morning sunlight” all around.

The Andhra Pradesh Social Welfare Residential Educational Institution Society said it sponsored Poorna’s expedition as part of its program to encourage underprivileged students.

A 13-year-old boy climbed Everest previously.

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