Mt. Everest 2006 Fantasy Ridge: New Path

Dawa Nuru Sherpa of Thame. With 6 Everest summits this incredible kind and skillful climber will bring experience and humility to the "Pathfinder 2006," Everest expedition.

Mount Everest --  our closest point to heaven.  It is not the size of Everest that makes it the greatest of all the world mountains, but the richness of its history.  The mythology of the mountain resonates in every step taken on its ridges and flanks.  Every expedition is a world stage where climbers act out chilling sagas of triumph or tragedy.

    Defined as the highest peak in the world in 1852 it was called “Peak XIV”, even today it’s altitude is still disputed.  In 1865 Andrew Waugh, then the British surveyor of India, named the peak for his predecessor, Sir George Everest.  The name stuck.  But Everest already had many names, most unknown outside a particular region.
For Tibetans, it was "Chomolungma“, "Goddess Mother of the Earth”.  The Nepalese call the mountain "Sagarmatha“, "Goddess of the Sky”.  There are probably still others, but through it all the name Everest was never lost.

    We would know even less about this great mountain and its surrounding peaks were it not for a unique group of people who have lived in the shadow of these mountains for centuries.  The Sherpa people are Buddhist and are thought to have migrated from Tibet and even as far as Mongolia.  They inherited the Khumbu district of Nepal which surrounds Everest.  The Sherpas are synonymous with Everest and have served virtually every expedition from the Nepalese side since the early 1930s. 

Their cheerful nature, courage, and fierce loyalty made them treasured among early mountaineers.  They are valued for many attributes, but it was their knowledge of the area, and particularly the mountains, that quickly made them indispensable members of any climb.  They are physically adapted to the high altitude because their villages have been situated above 10,000 feet for centuries.  Living this high for many generations enables the Sherpa to take advantage of their peculiar genetic and physiologic makeup allowing for amazing feats of strength and endurance at breath-taking altitudes.  Their lung capacity is regularly demonstrated by breaking trails, carrying heavy loads,  and rescuing injured or debilitated climbers, as well as leading successful expeditions to the top.  Although the Sherpas’ achievements are known among serious climbers, most of the world would be surprised to learn that Sherpas lead the world in Everest summits.  Sadly, they also have the highest casualty rate.

    Extraordinary feats have been accomplished by Sherpas with little recognition. Ang Rita Sherpa made his 10th ascent of Everest without supplemental oxygen, and his name is unknown outside of climbing circles.   Apa Sherpa now heads the list of Everest ascents with 15 astonishing summits!  He has received little recognition for this incredible record.  While few hope to top Ang Rita’s and Apa accomplishments, many climbers aspire to follow the magnetic pull of Everest’s mystique, a place for the media to report courageous acts and for families to mourn the loss of loved ones. 

    For those of us who climb, risk is a part of our lives.  Choosing the level of risk is an individual decision.   The desire to explore new places and to devise new methods of reaching those new places is deep within us.  This quest to seek the unknown is once again underway. 

    “Fantasy Ridge”, the last major unclimbed ridge on Mt. Everest, was so named by George Leigh Mallory because he believed that this ridge could only be climbed in “fantasy”.  For nearly 100 years, Mallory has been correct.  In the Spring of 2006, a group of climbers plan to disprove Mallory’s assessment of the ridge.

"We will follow in the "footsteps" of other great climbers, but our footsteps will fall on snow, ice and rock that have never felt the weight of boots and crampons.  We seek a new route up Everest via Fantasy Ridge.  Our plans will be complicated; our expenses will be high.  Our task will be formidable, but our spirit will carry us forward.   We look ahead to this new challenge in new territory. We accept the risk.  Everest beckons from a new vantage point, unknown and untried.  We embark with the spirit of all who have gone before us on traditional paths.  With the mountain’s blessing we hope to become the “new golden few” who will triumphantly stand closest to heaven." Pathfinder 2006

The expedition is open for sponsorship.  In addition, access to the video/photo documentary will be available in exchange for financial support.  The expedition will report exclusively to EverestNews.com. POTENTIAL SPONSORS:  FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEMBERS OF THE TEAM AND DETAILED PLANS FOR THE CLIMB, PLEASE CONTACT EverestNews.com

A cold weather, high altitude double boot for extreme conditions The Olympus Mons is the perfect choice for 8000-meter peaks. This super lightweight double boot has a PE thermal insulating inner boot that is coupled with a thermo-reflective outer boot with an integrated gaiter. We used a super insulating lightweight PE outsole to keep the weight down and the TPU midsole is excellent for crampon compatibility and stability on steep terrain. WEIGHT: 39.86 oz • 1130 g LAST: Olympus Mons CONSTRUCTION: Inner: Slip lasted Outer: Board Lasted OUTER BOOT: Cordura® upper lined with dual-density PE micro-cellular thermal insulating closed cell foam and thermo-reflective aluminium facing/ Insulated removable footbed/ Vibram® rubber rand See more here.

Millet One Sport Everest Boot for Spring 2009 has made some minor changes by adding more Kevlar. USES Expeditions / High altitude / Mountaineering in extremely cold conditions / Isothermal to -75°F Gore-Tex® Top dry / Evazote Reinforcements with aramid threads. Avg. Weight: 5 lbs 13 oz Sizes: 5 - 14 DESCRIPTION Boot with semi-rigid shell and built-in Gore-Tex® gaiter reinforced by aramid threads, and removable inner slipper Automatic crampon attachment Non-compressive fastening Double zip, so easier to put on Microcellular midsole to increase insulation Removable inner slipper in aluminized alveolate Fiberglass and carbon footbed Cordura + Evazote upper Elasticated collar. Expedition footwear for mountaineering in conditions of extreme cold.  NOTE US SIZES LISTED. See more here.

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