Confirmed: Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa Going For Mt. Rainier Speed Ascent Record On Saturday

Nepalese mega-mountaineer, Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa, 13-time Mt. Everest climber and former world record holder for fastest ascent to Everest (10Hours, 56 minutes, and 46 seconds) will attempt to break the present world record for fastest ascent to Mt. Rainier on Saturday, August 16 by climbing the mountain in just four 4 hours.

The previous unofficial record is held by Justine Merle, who climbed the mountain and returned to Paradise, WA in just 4 hours, 49 minutes, and 35 seconds. Lhakpa Sherpa, who is 41 years old, will begin his journey to become the fastest human being to ever scale Mt. Rainier, which stands at 14,411 feet, at 5 AM sharp. A press conference and victory celebration is scheduled for 9 AM at Paradise, on the south slope of the mountain. Sherpa, who lives in Sandy, Utah with his wife and three children, is a Goodwill Ambassador to MorePeace Corps, an effort to double the Peace Corps.

Asked why he is doing this, a soft-spoken Sherpa said, “I am doing this for the children of my country, Nepal. I never had a chance to study in my village – I started climbing at a very young age. I want to raise $50,000 so that the students at Mera Elementary School in my village in Solukhumbu can get a new school. I am not an educated man, but if I can help even onechild in my country, that is all that matters.”

Lhakpa, who has also scaled the famed Ama Dablam mountain, is not the only one in his family to scale Everest. In fact, Sherpa’s family holds the World record for the most ascents by a single family: thirty. Sherpa’s olderbrother tragically died in 1991 during an ascent to the top of Annapurna

Read more

Everest on Ebay: The Apa and Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa Collection

While browsing around on Ebay today, I came across a couple of interesting items. The first is the hat worn to the top of Mt. Everest by Apa Sherpa in 2007. If you will remember back to last May, The Adventurist followed Apa as he was setting out on a record breaking run (he was breaking his own record) of most times summiting Mt. Everest. He was successful in his bid of capturing his 17th summit of the world’s highest peak.

The hat in question was actually given to Apa by 5 time US speed skater champion Eric Heiden and was worn the complete trip by Apa Sherpa.

The second item of interest is another Apa Sherpa related item. Apa Sherpa’s Poisk Oxygen tank that went up with him as well. The Poisk Oxygen tanks are pretty cool looking and would make a great addition to any Everest collection.  The tank has been personally signed by Apa–the seller also goes on to explain that he has three of these for sale, as well as another 4 Poisk Oxygen tanks belonging to Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa. Lhakpa, if you will remember back, went up with Apa Sherpa during the SuperSherpas campaign in 2007 to bring awareness to the Sherpa people. It was the first time that a Sherpa only expedition had ever taken place. Lhakpe Gelu Sherpa has 13 summits to his credit as well as a former Everest Climbing Speed Record of 10 hrs, 56 minutes, and 46 seconds.

Both auctions are currrently running. The hat has 2 days to go and already has a bid of $99. The Poisk Oxygen tanks have 9 days left and are currently priced at $199.00.

If you happen to be the winning bidder of either item, you will also recieve an autographed 8×11 summit photo featuring both Apa Sherpa and Lhakpa Gelu. For extra bragging rights, the photo just happens to show Apa wearing the hat in question-

Both of these items are being put up on Ebay in order to help support an education fund for both Apa and Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa’s children. A good cause–Everest items of historical significance–and the signed 8×10. What more could you ask for?

To view either auction, click the following key words: Apa’s Hat Apa’s Poisk Tank

I will try to keep an eye on these items and give the final prices in a later update. I am really kind of surprised that more climbers don’t go this route to try to get some of their money back. Seems to be a pretty good market for authentic material relating to Mt. Everest-

Conrad Anker and Apa Sherpa Joining Forces?

Conrad Anker, the man who became world famous for discovering George Mallory’s body on Mt. Everest, will be teaming up with his wife and Apa Sherpa to host a special “An Everest Evening.”  This event, scheduled for August 9th will take place in Snowbird, Utah.

Apa Sherpa, who holds the record for climbing Mt. Everest the most times, 17, will be discussing his recent success with the SuperSherpas Expedition this year.  Conrad Anker will also be talking about his own success on Everest this year as a part of his reenactment of the 1924 Everest Expedition of George Mallory and Andrew Irvine.

The two have decided to come together to support The Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation (ALCF).  The ALCF is holding the fundraiser to bring attention to the high-altitude workers of Nepal as well as raising money for the Khumbu Climbing School.

Presentations and slide shows of both previously mentioned expeditions will be taking place, as well as a few more surpise speakers.  The ALCF will also be holding a charitable silent auction.  Up for bids will be a donated Grivel wood ice ax signed by all Everest summiters in attendence.

This event will take place at the Cliff Lodge in Snowbird, Utah on August 9th, with things kicking off around 6:30 pm.  Tickets for this event will be $50 a piece.  For information, reservations, or tickets, you may call (800) 933-2147.

This looks to be a great event with alot of big names in Everest history taking part–and besides that, it is for a great cause.  If you are going to be in the Utah area the week of the 9th, why not take a sidetrip to Snowbird?

The Adventurist: A Call to All Outdoor Writers and Photographers!

I have just put the finishing touches on a new “Submit & Contact” Page here at The Adventurist.  I am hoping that this new feature will be accepted and used by all of my great readers.

This page goes into detail about a few things I am looking for here at The Adventurist–and ways you might be able to get involved.

Do you love Adventure Writing or perhaps Great Outdoors Photography?–Help me share your incredible talents with a much bigger audience!

Head on Over to the “Submit & Contact” Page, found on a tab right up above this article, and Share your Adventures with the World!

Also, if you are looking to put me to work, there is info there as well….

Cheers-

J. Alan Hendricks, Editor

Everest 2007 Update: Summits, Summits, and More Summits

Yesterday I posted an Interview with David Tait as well as Alan Arnette’s BIG Announcement–both of these items were pretty big news.  I didn’t post my usual update yesterday with all the previously mentioned stuff going on…so guess what.  That means this is going to be one HUGE update covering the events that has been going on for the last couple of days.

Before I get in to that though, I would first like to post a fair warning for anyone coming by this site from the Television Without Pity forum.  There will be at least one Everest: Beyond the Limit spoiler here today.  So if you don’t want to know what has happened–either skip this post, or come back tomorrow.  I do appreciate all of you stopping by though.

Alright, Let’s get to it:

David Hahn Summits for a Record 9th Time

David Hahn, climbing with IMG, has successfully summited Mt. Everest for his record 9th time.  This puts David as the single most productive Everest Summiter ever that is a non-sherpa climber.  Don’t fear though, I am pretty sure that Apa Sherpa’s current record of 17 will be holding for quite a few more years to come.

Here is a post that Dave made to his expedition website GreatOutdoors:

Hey Great Outdoors, hey this is Dave and I’m on the summit of Mount Everest, it’s let’s see, see if I can see my watch here, it’s 6:40 now we got here 15 minutes ago. Beautiful morning. Beautiful morning. We beat the crowd, and it gave us some trouble, aggravating coming up in the dark at sunrise up the step part of the South Summit, but everybody rested on the South Summit and me and Phinjo Dorge from . . . right there and we got the jump and then had the traverse and Hillary Steps to ourselves, splendid morning, beautiful shadows, casting big shadow of Everest out to the horizon. Just beautiful, really very thrilling, and uh going to give you another call in a minute here, oh boy, it’s exciting to be here. Think I can see as far as I ever have been able to, Makalu, Kangchenchugka, Shishapangma, maybe that’s Manaslu back there, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, beautiful. Beautiful. Okay call you back in a few minutes when my fingers thaw out again.

Sounds like a great view from the top of the World’s Highest Peak, Mt. Everest.

Gavin Bate’s Near Death Experience…Summit Denied

Gavin Bate, who was trying to pull off his own successful traverse of Everest, going North to South, had to call off his climb after nearly dying at 8300 meters.

To begin to put this into perspective, David was planning on traversing Everest with his “shadow” Sherpa Pasang Tendi, using the bare minimum of essentials–a light-weight single-skin tent, a small stove and bivi sack, and whatever else he could manage to get into his backpack.  Now let’s go to the details of what transpired as he attempted to reach the summit.  First, from May 19: Read more

Everest 2007 Update: Summits and Death on Everest

Everyone knew that lastnight was going to be as busy or busier than the night before on the world’s highest mountain.  Here is a rundown to get everyone up to date on the happenings on Mt. Everest lastnight.

Sadly, Three People Have Died

It is being widely reported that there were a few deaths on Everest lastnight.  Two Koreans and a Japanese climber perished.  Here is what is known at this time:

The Koreans–Ho Hee-Joon, 37, as well as Lee Hyun-Jo, 35, both perished from a rockfall incident.  The two climbers were well respected in the climbing community and had many accomplishments under their belts.  They were both members of Park Young-Seok’s Expedition. Ho Hee-Joon had successfully summited 10 of the world’s 14 8,000 meter peaks and was making an attempt at his 11th, Everest.  The two were climbing from the Southwest Face and the accident occured between 7,700 and 8,300 meters.  At this time it is not known if the two were ascending or descending.

The third climber to perish lastnight on Everest was a 62 year old Japanese climber that died just a few meters from the summit upon his descent.

Yoshitomi Okura, had successfully summited Everest but died while trying to descend.  A sherpa tried to help him out but it was to late.  Mr. Okura was a member of the Tokyo based Adventure Guides Co. and he had successfully climbed Cho Oyu in 2003 and was making his 3rd attempt on Everest.

Many people lastnight were mentioning that there had been reports of death and perhaps a high-altitude rescue in progress.  At this time, with the names being released, I can confirm the three deaths.  The rescue attempt that many were noticing from below, could very well have been from one of these incidents.

Alan Arnette, is also reporting two more incidents-One involving a Japanese Girl on the North Side and the other a Czech climber.  I have not been able to confirm either of these at this time.

With so many people heading to the summit at once, news of this nature is not unusual.  In the coming days, I am sure more facts will be coming out related to these accidents.

The Adventurist gives it’s condolences to the family, friends, and associates of these fallen climbers and our prayers are with you tonight.

Now on to the good news..

SUMMITS GALORE!!

The night began rather quickly lastnight with teams on the North and South both looking for their summit pushes.

SuperSherpas and Mountain Madness teamed up to place all of each teams members at the summit from the South.  Apa, from SuperSherpas, claimed his 17th Everest summit breaking his own world record for most Everest summits ever.  Lhakpa Gelu, his partner, claimed his 13th successful summit of Everest.

Following this news came the news that fellow Sherpa, Tashi Tenzing, had made a successful summit as well along with his client.  This is reportedly Tashi’s last time on Everest.  Tashi Tenzing is Tenzing Norgay’s grandson, the man who first stepped upon the summit of Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary.

So the night began very historical in nature..

Other teams to summit included a team of Philipine Women, who were the only other team besides David Tait to traverse Everest this season and go from one side to the other…they also became the first women to ever do so.  Great Job ladies.

Other climbers of note to summit:

Andy Pizzarro of Learning Without Limits as well as Andy van der Velde from South Africa.

Overall there were roughly another 50 summits coming from the North as well as 27 coming from the South.  In the coming days more will be said about this courageous night.

Don’t Think it is Over though

We have just crossed the 100 summits mark on Everest this season, but as EverestNews reminds us, last year there were around 480 successful summits.  They are also speculating that there could be anywhere from 1-200 more summits coming in the next two days.

The deaths reported on Everest lastnight, anywhere from 3-5 depending on the sources, will put the total of deaths on Everest at roughly half of what they were last season at 11.  If you will remember, Dawa Sherpa perished earlier this season and up until lastnight night had been the only confirmed death on Everest.

As far as the two Koreans who died, sources are saying that their bodies will be brought back down for proper burial, so there will be some activity in that direction in the coming days.

For everyone that summited lastnight:  CONGRATULATIONS!  and for all the ones to come: GOOD LUCK< The World is watching!

Everest 2007 Update: Three Summits From North and First South Summits?

Three Summits from the North have been confirmed at this time.  The three people involved are Carey Gibson, Dan Tebay, and Lhadpa Sherpa.

Also from the South, EverestNews is reporting a pretty reliable source as saying Mountain Madness has reached the Summit by way of the South Col Route and Supersherpas aren’t far behind.

Apa and Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa are trying to accomplish a combined 30th Everest summit between them with Apa going for his 17th to break his own record of most Everest Summits ever.

Please remember that at this time this report from the South is still yet to be confirmed but sources are pointing to a successful summit from both Mountain Madness and Supersherpas shortly.

At this time it is not known whether the Philipine Ladies Team has made it yet or not as well..they had left earlier today for their push..but no further information has been noted.

Everest 2007 Update: Mass Exodus For Summit, as Day 2 Summit Push Begins

Day two is shaping up to be busier than today as far as Everest and the push for the summit go.

From the North Side, there will possibly be another 50-60 people attempting the climb up the North Ridge Route, and from the South, many are expecting the same.

Here are the teams to look for:

From the North

The female team of Philipines are sitting at 8300 meters now and are planning their final push tonight.  Also on the North, Cato Pederson, will be planning his “Unarmed” Everest Push has he tries to make a successfull summit attempt after losing both of his arms many years ago.  Other teams:

Manny Pizzaro, SummitClimb (second phase), Scottish Scouts, Nives Meroi and Romana Benet, as well as Kari Kobler to name a few…

From the South Col

Supersherpas, who will be ascending around 9 pm tonight, IMG, Adventure Consultants, Exploradus…all of them are in the works to make an attempt, if not tonight, then definately by morning.

The Weather

As mentioned earlier today, many expeditions and climbers are predicting a small 48 hour window here before bad weather sets back in.  Many teams are trying a scramble for the top, while others are trying to use their “sixth sense” and hope for a better opportunity and hopefully less crowds as well..

It is noted that after David Tait successfully crossed from the North Ridge to The South Col and eventually down to Camp 2–that the teams on the South have been busy, busy.  David was able to break trail and fix the rest of the ropes that the South needed in order to finish their push to the summit.   The South now has plenty of trail to follow and ropes leading their way..

Great job David on making this all possible and jumpstarting the South Summit Push as well..

As Always I will bring you the latest as I hear it.

Everest 2007 Second Update, May 15, 2007: 50 Summits Reported Today..David Tait Update…and more

David Tait Update

David Tait has made it to lower ground on the South Side, arriving at Camp 2, along with his Sherpa Phurba Tashi, after successfully reaching the summit of Mt. Everest around 1:30 am this morning.

Adventure Consultants, The team that will run David’s logistics on the South, are reporting that David and Phurba Tashi Sherpa are both very excited to have the first leg of the Double-Traverse finished and are now enjoying some time in the Dining tent celebrating.  Here is what the Adventure Consultants Team had to say:

“All members of the AC Team wish to offer massive congratulations to English climber David Tait and Phurba Tashi Sherpa who successfully traversed Mt Everest today from North to South. This is a huge and rarely accomplished feat. David and Phurba Tashi are members of the Himalayan Experience Expedition (HIMEX) on the North Side of Everest. Adventure Consultants are providing logistical support on the South Side. As David and Phurba Tashi sit in our heated C2 dining tent, they are elated and understandably, exhausted. Tomorrow they will have their first experience of the Khumbu Icefall as they descend to BC.”

50 Summits Reported Today

ExplorersWeb is reporting 50 summits thus far today from the North Side alone.  We all knew it would come fast and furious when it hit–and it definately has…

At this time, I can not confirm all 50 but that is definately not saying it hasn’t happened.  I am just waiting to recieve confirmation.

The South Side

Climbers on the South Side are gearing up for their first projected summit attempts tonight..SuperSherpas will be leading the way with Apa and Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa set to arrive at the Summit around 7 pm–this will be their combined 30th summit of Everest!

The Weather Window

Earlier today, I had the opportunity to ask Alan Arnette how big of a weather window the climbers had before the forthcoming bad weather comes in that we have all been hearing about…

From his own site, here is what he had to say:

“Looks like the winds will be tolerable for the next 24 hours at least so expect a big push on both sides. What worries me is that they are forecasted to increase again on the 18th (48 hours from right now - 7:00AM GMT -7 or MDT) and a lot of teams are still low on the mountain. If they push to catch the tail end of this window, they could get caught. But they are there and I am in Colorado so they know best!”

Let’s just all hope that everyone can be safe and make it through this window in one piece, and at least be at a safe place when the weather does decide to come back.

Everest 2007 Update: DAVID TAIT SUMMITS, SummitClimb Summits 6..and more heading up!

David Tait Makes First of Two Summits!! 

At 1:30 am this morning I recieved a new dispatch from David Tait.

“To all you happy followers out there – David reached the summit at about 1.30 am this morning!! Through the fierce noise of the wind, he sounded jubilant as you could imagine. Fingers crossed as he makes his way back down the south please.

I’ll keep you posted. “

This is great news as David has been contemplating an earlier attempt at the summit than most. 

David is currently heading down the South Col Route where he plans to take a rest at BC and then head back up the South in an attempt to double-traverse Everest and earn his spot in the Mt. Everest Record Book.

I have not recieved word yet that David has made it back to camp but I did send him a congratulatory email and wished him the best.

SummitClimb Summits 6-

Six members of the SummitClimb team have also made the summit of Everest according to a new dispatch on their site…

The summiters included four climbers and two sherpas.  They are as follows:  Pemba Sherpa, Jangbu Sherpa, Stein Tant, Aldas Baltutis, Bjorn Vandewege, and Stephen Maginelle.

The Push is ON!!

It is also being reported that two others have now summited as well…no word yet as to who they are but details will be coming shortly…

UPDATE:  One of the two summiters is Ken Noguchi, leader of an environmental group that has been working to clean-up Everest the past couple of months…

AT LEAST 7 More Heading for the Summit…

It is also being noted that 7 others are currently heading to the summit on the North Side as well today..and I am sure many others will be following since the news of the successes happening from the North will be hitting camp fast and furious.

UPDATE:  The other 7 climbers mentioned to be heading to the summit is the other half of the SummitClimb Team.  They have decided to go up in two seperate parties.

APA and Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa from SuperSherpas On Summit drive from South Side!

Apa and Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa, after counseling with Tashi Tenzing (Grandson of Norgay Tenzing, first summiter of Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary) from the North Side, decided to begin an earlier push for the summit after the great summit weather on the North was being reported.  We are looking to hear from the Supersherpas Camp at 10 am this morning for more details on this summit push…Right now their plan to summit looks to be around 7 pm if all stays well and conditions don’t change.

If Apa and Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa are succesfull this will mark the first summits from the South this season as well as the 17th summit for Apa and the 13th for Lhakpa Gelu.  A total of 30 summits between them both.  Simply Amazing!

The Weather Debate

All of this activity is great news coming from Mt. Everest today as teams have been constantly worried about the poor weather conditions over the past two weeks.  This is bound to set off a flurry of further activity if conditions stay consistent.

Tashi Tenzing

With Tashi Tenzing consulting with the SuperSherpas Team about the good North Side weather, don’t be surprised if he makes his attempt as well today.  The Sherpas have an advantage over other climbers and don’t have to rely on resting at each camp as their bodies are more adjusted to the acclimatization..if he decides to go for it, it will be a fast push..

The Adventurist

I will try to keep everyone up to date as I can.  The news may come fast and furious though so please check back often for the latest updates.

CONGRATULATIONS

I would like to congratulate all of the climbers in their success today as well as wish everyone a safe and happy return!  Great Job Guys!

Special Word of Note:  Thank-you Alan Arnette, ExplorersWeb and EverestNews for your great reports!

 

Next Page »