Mt. Everest 2005: Norwegian Men's expedition

Updates

Update: Haakon and Tarald Skagefoss have been forced to leave the expedition, but all else is well..

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Petter Kragset (b. 1960), expedition leader. Originating from Hakallestranda, Sunnmøre on the west coast of Norway. He grew up in the seashore along with crab and fish. Short thereafter his main interest became track and field covering plenty of miles on mountain and dirt roads. Turning 17 years old, he moved to Oslo and held a variety of jobs including postman, banker, paperboy and eventually his own real estate company. His stamp collection was soon replaced with a collection of the highest mountains of all countries of the world. Europe is already complete. He also has six of the seven summits, Carstensz Pyramid (4884 m), Mount Vinson (4898 m), Elbrus (5642 m), Kilimanjaro ( 5895 m), McKinley (6194 m), and Aconcagua (6962 m). “Only Everest is missing”, concludes Petter.

Henrik Wolf Meedom (b. 1973) 100% from Oslo, Norway. Graduated with a degree in Business, working as banker. He has also lived 4 years in Canada. Has summited  Mt McKinley (6194 m), and spent quite some time trekking around the Norwegian mountains. Interests within sports include windsurfing, mountain biking, rowing, hunting and plenty of skiing. At winter, the nearby forest of Oslo is subject to hundreds of miles of cross-country skiing. Other hobbies include the pleasure of women, Wine and as little song as possible. (Norwegian saying) “Why Everest? I like a good challenge and Everest is Everest is Everest“, says Henrik

Marius Flygind (b. 1973) Born and raised in Oslo. Currently working  for VOSS of Norway ASA exporting artesian water in fancy bottles. Has summited Elbrus (5642 m), Mt McKinley (6194 m), Aconcagua (6962 m) and Muztagh Ata (7546 m). During winter he is often to be seen x-c skiing in the forests of Oslo. He is, as the expeditions only member of the VIF-clan (a soccer supporting group) accustomed to extreme and nerve wrecking situations.
“I am generally fond of trekking, especially if it can be combined with a party or two..”, says Marius

Eirik Bjargo (b. 1951) A licensed chiropractor by trade from Oslo. Initiator and co-owner of the health clinic chain named "Klinikk for alle A/S". He has many years of experience from trekking the Norwegian mountains along with expedition experience from Antarctica, Mt Vinson (4898 m) Chile, Torres del Paine, Carstensz Pyramid (4884 m), Mt. Blanc (4810 m) Aconcagua (6962 m), crossing Greenland by skiing and the Atlantic ocean by sailboat.
“I am still hungry for new challenges”, says Eirik

Håkon Staver (b. 1957) Lives in Bærum outside Oslo and is a teacher in high school. He has 25 years of rock climbing experience from near and far places. He has climbed a number of the most strenuous and difficult routes in Norway and the Alps, including two routes of Trollveggen. He did his first ascent of Rondespiret in the Antarctic in 1997, and  did the first Norwegian ascent of Peak Nansen (5900 m) in Kirgisistan winter of 2000. “I lack a really high mountain, and what is better than Everest”, says Håkon.

Tarald Skagefoss (b. 1968) Lives in Asker outside of Oslo. A carpenter by trade, currently working within real estate with development and sale. Has been active in sports of all kinds, but mostly into x-c skiing, hockey, windsurfing alpines skiing and soccer. Started with rock climbing in the early 90’s and is possibly the holder of “most ascents to Skaugumåsen with a backpack and ropes”. Highest achievement until now: Aconcagua (6962 m).
“To me Everest is a challenge impossible to turn down”, says Tarald

Mattias Karlsson (b. 1965) Born and raised in Umeå, Sweden. He is currently living in Stockholm working as a lawyer for Mannheimer Swartling Advokatbyrå. He has competed in downhill skiing, and has ridden a number of extreme routes both in Norway, Sweden and The Alps. He has climbed the Mont Blanc traverse, Mont Blanc du Tacul (4350 m) Mont Maudit (4560 m) and Mont Blanc (4810 m). He also holds the unofficial record of speed-trekking through Bhutan. Mattias is aware of that, as a Swede, he takes a huge risk by joining a Norwegian expedition in the 100 year-celebration of liberating Norway from the terror of Sweden. “The dream of Everest outweighs the fear of Norwegians”, says Mattias

Vidar Femdal Røe (b. 1968) Happily married with two kids living in Oslo. He has dedicated much of his life to the delicacies of the Mediterranean in a business where he has already achieved many highs. Other challenges are also tempting, and the interest for mountaineering has long been a passion. He has climbed Elbrus (5642 m), Kilimanjaro (5895 m), and Mt McKinley (6194 m) as his highest mountains until now. He is truly a sporty, humorous and a cool dude that enjoys the team spirit of mountaineering. “We’re gonna make it”, says Vidar.

Jon Gangdal (b. 1954) He is the expedition's consultant, and one of Norway’s most experienced Himalayan climbers. He has participated and lead 8 expeditions to the Himalayas, including 3 to Mount Everest. His highest mountains until now include Cho Oyu (8201 m) Manaslu (8163 m) og Shisa Pangma (8046 m). Jon has his own consultant company and has written several books on the subject of rock climbing and mountaineering. “I am still in love with the goddess of earth”, says Jon

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