Known as Sagarmantha to Nepalis, Mt. Everest, the highest peak in the world with a height of 8,848 m (29, 028 ft.), will pose a challenge to the First Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition in 2007. The feat is filled with anticipation in the bid that Filipinos will also join the few nationalities that made it to the top of the world. But with all these, loomed anxieties, knowing that many climbers die each year attempting to reach the peak. Storms can develop rapidly on the mountains top and with little warning, trapping climbers. The climbing season on the mountain is also quite short: in Mid-May, a seasonal change in the jet stream causes winds to subside on the peak to a low enough level making it possible to reach the peak. But at the height of the monsoon season, winds on Everest's peak may well top 100mph (160kph) and create total white-out conditions that would make climbing impossible for anyone foolish enough to try. Since May 29, 1953 when Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay from Nepal became the first humans to successfully climb the peak, more than 5,000 people have attempted to repeat their feat with only 1,600 successes and 175 fatalities. One member of this first Philippine Everest Expedition is Rey Sumagaysay, a member of the Human Development International and President of the Mountaineering Federation of Southern Mindanao. He is an experienced mountain climber and won many mountaineering extreme challenges since the early 90s including those held the Philippines highest mountain, Mt. Apo. The group is continuously undergoing training at the Himalayas and mountains in New Zealand to prepare them in the hostile environment of the worlds tallest mountain. Here's a brief interview with Rey.Marc: How were you selected to form part of the First Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition?
Rey: I was selected from the many candidates. The selection process includes years of mountaineering experience; strong physical and mental attributes and strong will power to reach the top of Everest.
Marc: Who will finance this expedition?
Rey: The expedition will be financed and sponsored by different private institutions and companies like Northface, Coleman, PAL, Globe, ABS-CBN and others. In this regard, we appeal to all Filipinos to support this expedition.
Marc: What are the preparations being undertaken to ensure that the expedition will be a success?
Rey: The team is now undergoing rigid training on conditions similar to that of Mt. Everest as to acclimatize us on real scenarios and possible emergency situations that can happen during the climb. It started last July 26 to September 15, 2004 in Western Himalayas in Manali, India that lasted for two months and was facilitated by Rajeev Sharma, an Indian mountaineer who is an Everester. There were 22 climbers who participated in the training climb that were selected from different mountaineering clubs and organizations in the Philippines which three came from Mindanao.
Marc: What problems have you encountered during the climb?
Rey: Most of us if not all encountered high altitude sickness, extreme coldness, vomiting
and trying to adapt on new mountain environment unlike the tropical and rainforest mountains in the Philippines where we are used to.
Marc: In totality how was the training-climb?
Rey: It was nice and challenging. We didnt have much difficulty in climbing because we were already experienced climbers, it was more on trying to adapt ourselves in the new mountain environment.
Marc: What lessons have you learned which can be important in your climb to Mt. Everest in 2007?
Rey: Well, I learned how to keep my body warm from the cold harsh condition of the Himalayas; to be safety conscious at all times and proper usage of equipment.
Marc: What gives you strength to climb the worlds highest mountain?
Rey: Well, its a new challenge for me and another level of experience in mountain climbing; the fact, that I am supported by my family and friends and the urge to bring honor and pride to our country.
Marc: Aside from the personal reasons you mentioned why you wanted to climb Everest, do you have a cause for doing this?
Rey: Yes, as a mountaineer for many years now and seen the wanton destruction of our mountains, I have always been promoting responsible mountaineering and continuously making efforts in educating climbers.
Marc: As a member of the Human Development International that has conceived and lead the Call to Save the Mountains of the World and endorsed worldwide by the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former President Fidel V. Ramos, and other leaders, do you think it would be a great idea if you can re-echo the call once you are in the summit of Mt. Everest?
Rey: Absolutely yes! I feel its an honor and great privilege that I am the official bearer of the Call to Save the Mountains of the World in this expedition. I feel obligated to re-echo the said call as my innate obligation as caretaker of Mother Nature. Surely this will further boost my will power to reach the peak not only to satisfy my personal quest to be on top of Mt. Everest but also to serve common interest to preserve Mother Nature. Indeed, given the luck, good health and Divine Guidance, definitely I will re-echo the call in 2007 at the worlds highest summit that would heighten efforts to save mountains and enhance the well-being of the mountain people. I am sure this will give a deeper meaning to the First Philippine Mountain Expedition to Everest.
Article Source: http://www.Article-Hut.com - Article Submission Service
** Attn Ezine Editors & Site Owners **
You may reprint this article in its entirety so long as you do not remove the article source active link or the authors links.
|
