Mountaineer TA Loeffler calls off 3rd Everest attempt

TheSt.John's-based mountaineer TA Loeffler has had to call off her third attempt to climb Mount Everest, after being plagued with illness and altitude problems.

"It's humbling, it's disappointing, and it is what it is," Loeffler posted on her blog Wednesday.

Loeffler was hospitalized on May 8, after beingflown from a camp on the mountain to Kathmandudue to illness. She had left Newfoundland forNepal on April 10 in the hopes of summiting the world's highest peak.

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Loeffler, who is also a full-time professor at Memorial University,wrote she hasn't fully recovered since the hospital stay.

"There has been something wrong with my equilibrium. I am frequently dizzy," she said.

Despite not making it to the top, Loefflermaintained a positive attitude.

"It's been a good journey. I climbed high. Not as high as I wanted, but high. I slept higher than I ever have before. I saw beautiful views and I worked hard."

Loeffler has a flight booked out of Nepal and will return to St. John's on Friday.