Giant hailstones, howling winds and a black rain warning—to say the weather wasn’t looking good for our June cover shoot was a massive understatement. Less than 24 hours before we were due to photograph record-breaking mountaineer Annabelle Bond on the rocky headland at Shek O, the sky was threateningly dark and thunder rumbled ominously overhead.

Photography director Gillian Nadel peered out of the rain-streaked office window with her head in her hands. After spending more than two months painstakingly organising the shoot—booking hair, make-up, stylists and a photography crew, we faced a tough decision. Cancel everyone and start all over again—or plough on regardless?

A few hailstones didn’t seem to bother our intrepid cover star, who texted, “Hope the shoot is going ahead. I’ll bring my extreme weather gear! Ha ha.” Compared to her expedition to the summit of Everest, where she suffered severe frostbite on her fingers and toes, this would be a day at the beach, quite literally. Spurred on by Annabelle’s have-a-go attitude, we persevered with the shoot, and thankfully we couldn’t have scored a more perfect blazing hot, blue-sky day. Our only regret was wearing raincoats—and not sunscreen. Lobster pink is not in this season, apparently.

To read more about Annabelle's adventures pick up a copy of our June issue on newsstands now or subscribe to the magazine here.