Home
Today's News
8000 Meters Facts
Banners Ads
Bookstore
Classified Ads
Climb
for Peace
Contact
Downloads
Educational
Expeditions
Facts
Games
Gear
History
Interviews
Medical
News
(current)
News Archives
Sat Phones
Search
Seven Summits
Snowboard
Speakers
Students
Readers
Guide
Risks
Trip Reports
Visitor
Agreement
| |
    
 | |||||||
 | |||||||
 Mt Everest 2005: Australian Rex Pemberton the youngest Australian to summit Mt Everest | |||||||
| |||||||
|
Update: 02 June 2005 - BACK AT BASE I'm very happy to announce that Rex Pemberton, the youngest Australian to summit Mt Everest has arrived back at base camp safe and well. Rex called me from his satellite phone and sounded absolutely fantastic, ecstatic to have achieved his dream, though he admits he doesn't think it has sunk in yet. He said, "I'm just so glad to be back at base and safe, out of danger, I've been so focused on the way down I don't think I've really had a chance to think about what I've really done. Meg, I tell you I was on a knife's edge, so many times Ed and I paused before that summit about to make the decision to turn around but there was always a glimmer of hope and we kept going and we did it!.. The video worked on the summit so I should have some awesome footage! I only have minor frost bite on my fingers which should heal in a few weeks but otherwise, considering, I feel fit." I asked about the celebrations he said, " I have a case of San Miguel [beer] here to drink but considering I haven't had anything to drink in 2 months and I'm still at altitude, I think 2 beers will knock me out." Rex will head out of base camp on the 3rd of June and aims to be back in Sydney before the 10th. On his journey down Rex will compile a full report of the summit bid, so keep an eye out on your inboxes for full details. I can't wait to see some photos! Meg Hall Earlier Update: As per the report of Liaison officer and Team Leader, the following 2 members and 2 High Altitude Workers has been successful to scale 8848 meter high Mt. Everest on 31st May, 2005 at 8:45 am. 31st May, 2005 1. Mr. Edward Oner Diffendal (35 Yrs) Member, Sales, San Francisco, USA 2. Mr. Rex Pemberton (21 Yrs.) Member, Student, st. ives NSW, Australia 3. Mr. Da Sonam Sherpa (41 Yrs.) High Altitude Worker, Khumjung-8, Pangboche, Solu, Nepal 4. Mr. Pasang Rinjing Sherpa (29 Yrs) High Altitude Worker, Khumjung-9, Phortse Solu, Nepal The handling agency of the Expedition Team is Great Escapes Trekking (Pvt. Ltd.) Kathmandu Nepal. Update May 31, 2005: Twenty-year-old Australian Rex Pemberton has a dream. Already an experienced Alpine climber, Rex has set his sights on Mt Everest and hopes to become the youngest Australian to stand atop the world's tallest mountain by summiting in 2005. By the age of 10 Rex wanted to climb every hill and mountain he could find, by 16 Rex was on an expedition to Bolivia and Peru where he climbed 6,025-meter Mt. Huclca Huclca. In addition he has already climbed on six of the seven continents including famous ascents of Mt. Cook and Mt. Aspiring in New Zealand. He's stood atop Mt. Blanc, the Matterhorn and 14 other 4,000-meter peaks in the European Alps. Rex has done it! Ed Diffendal (USA) REACHED 08:45, Mr. Rex Pemberton (Australia) REACHED 08:45, Da Sona Sherpa (Khumjung 8, Pangboche, Solukhumbu) 6th time, Mr. Pasang Rinjing Sherpa (Khumjung 9 Phortse Solukhumbu) 1st time summit REACHED 08:45, Expedition logistics for this expedition was provided by IMG (Eric Simonson). Update: 25 May 2005: Dear All, It's Caroline - (Rex's little sister) on behalf of Rex to update you all on his progress. Currently he is at camp 2, having arrived there yesterday just mid day. He left base camp at around 5am and made his way up through the ice fall accompanied by a large contingent of the team that are also looking for a similar summit day date as he is. The predicted weather improvement (now forecast to improve gradually starting on the 27th or 28th and looking even better on the 29th and 30th) is now starting to materialize. It is very difficult to judge the wind at the moment because the jet stream lying above Everest shifts about causing the winds to fluctuate dramatically. Sometimes it is still, others calm winds and a significant amount of time it's like a hurricane over the summit! Some of the experienced Everest guides reassure us that this is typical, and that the forecasts are always bad. Somehow we all expect them to say "perfect weather, no wind, no snow just sunshine - happy climbing and enjoy the view!" but they will never say that. Especially as the weather changes so quickly up at Everest and the weather men need to protect their hides so they emphasis the negative. Remember the weather can mean the difference between life and death and I certainly wouldn't want to be a weather man when the stakes are so high! (Even though they are by no means responsible!) It seems the weather dominates conversation up here as though talking about it will change it! Anyway Rex decided to position himself for a summit around the end of May, and there are glimmers of hope for calmer days around there if you read between the lines on the forecasts. Fixed ropes still have not been put in place above the Balcony and other teams are planning to have Sherpas fix on the 28th. Rex had a rest day at Camp 2 today and after some assessment will make the call as to whether he will move up to camp 3 tomorrow or stay at 2. The further you ascend, the less time you want to be up there, so if Rex decides for a 28th or 29th push he will inevitably stay at Camp 2. Again it depends on that forecast, but at least he is in position to take advantage of anything that arises. On the bright side we do still have a little time and the boys are all up and ready! Hilary and Tenzing summated on the 29th after all! As things start heating up with Spring ant the monsoon on its way the air is often punctuated with really loud crashing thunder sounds. These are the many avalanches that happen every day and night. I often wake up in the middle of the night to the roar of snow, ice and rock thrashing and plummeting down the mountain. This afternoon there was even one just over the ice fall, which may have upset the route and the SPC (ice fall doctors) will have work to do tomorrow. It was the afternoon so it I highly unlikely anyone would be in the icefall, everyone travels early when it is still cold and the precariously balanced ice blocks are still frozen into place. However as it gets warmer and warmer here the ice fall is falling into disrepair and becoming even more dangerous as things melt and pop and crackle and start to slip and avalanche. (In my personal opinion it is still ***** cold! Especially at night with sub zero temperatures and I'm actually looking forward to the warmer Sydney winter as a relief!) I will keep you all updated
regularly on Rex's decisions and ascent. Rex Pemberton is a motivational Speaker also! Background Twenty-year-old Australian Rex Pemberton has a dream. Already an experienced Alpine climber, Rex has set his sights on Mt Everest and hopes to become the youngest Australian to stand atop the world's tallest mountain by summiting in 2005. By the age of 10 Rex wanted to climb every hill and mountain he could find, by 16 Rex was on an expedition to Bolivia and Peru where he climbed 6,025-meter Mt. Huclca Huclca. In addition he has already climbed on six of the seven continents including famous ascents of Mt. Cook and Mt. Aspiring in New Zealand. He's stood atop Mt. Blanc, the Matterhorn and 14 other 4,000-meter peaks in the European Alps. If things go according to plan and corporate funding falls into place Rex will lead an expedition to Nepal in the spring of next year. It's not a cheap venture, as any Everest veteran will tell you. Rex, who runs his own development company and works with corporate trainers Peak Times, is looking to raise at least $65,000AU for his expedition. It's a venture that Rex believes will pay big dividends for the Australian corporation that funds his expedition. He expects a lot of interest and publicity during his attempt at the Australian record for youngest Everest summiter. As he works toward completing his dream Rex continues train and maintains a rigorous schedule of running, gym workouts and stair climbing to keep in top shape for the challenge ahead.
|
| |||||
|
Trekking Poles
|
Send email to 
• Copyright© 1998-2003 EverestNews.comAll rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Disclaimer, Privacy Policy, Visitor Agreement, Legal Notes: Read it