Background Highlights and Editorial-a short preview of Everest Challenge '98

Everest Challenge '98 is a global initiative to assist the integration of people with disabilities. Everest Challenge '98 's mission is to make history and redefine the possible. But more important; it is the inspiration to create a legacy for disabled children.

Via the Internet, in schools world wide, Everest Challenge '98 is opening the hearts and minds of children to the capabilities of their disabled peers through inspiration and leadership.

Mount Everest was first climbed in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Since it's discovery as the highest mountain in the world, Everest remained aloof for more than 100 years. Since then some 600 people have stood on her summit. No longer do we climb in hob-nail boots and Norfolk jackets, and to some the challenge seems diminished. However, for a disabled mountaineer, technology has not reduced the challenge; it has brought it into reach. In May 1998, via Sir Edmund's South Col route, Whittaker and a disabled Sherpa intend to create history by being the first disabled mountaineers to stand on the roof of the world. The magnitude of this undertaking was summed up by Greg Child, who partnered Tom on the North Ridge in 1995. He said "Tom's amputee push to Everest's summit may be the last great challenge in Himalayan climbing."

The People

Everest Challenge is the brainchild of TomWhittaker, a professor in Adventure education at Prescott College and disabled veteran of two Everest expeditions. He is the founder of the CooperativeWilderness Handicapped Outdoor Group, here after C.W.HOG, at Idaho State University, in Pocatello. In the Spring of 1998, Whittaker will teamup with an international team of expert mountaineers; Gareth Richards (UK), Jeff Rhoads, Kellie Rhoads and Angela Hawse (USA). Collectively they have spent more than eighteen months on the mountain, placing twelve people onthe summit with no fatalities.

Environmental Pledge and Responsibility

Everest Challenge will be sensitive to the social, cultural, environmental, and economic impacts our presence brings to the Solo Khumbu and to the mountain. We will do everything feasible to reduce our impacts to the area. In addition to retrieving all our own materials, we have pledged to remove an additional 100 oxygen bottles and one ton of garbage from the mountain. All trash will be disposed of in accordance with established protocols.
See the Environmental Restoration Project.

Route description

The Khumbu Himal is the home of the Sherpa people, who have traditionally provided support as high altitude porters and mountaineers to expeditions of the region. Surrounded by the massifs of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam, this is the classic trek of the Nepal Himalaya. This 30 day expedition will originate and finish in Kathmandu. They will fly to the mountain airfield in Lukla and journey the 40 miles to Everest Base Camp. The trek is on well established trails, some rugged and steep. Participants will visit Sherpa villages and monasteries in an unhurried approach to Base Camp at 17,000 ft. They will arrive in Base Camp at the same time that the climbing teamare making their summit bid. The two teams will join to celebrate their mutual successes, before returning to Lukla and Katmandu.

Selection

Participants of the C.W. HOG group are inviting seven people with disabilities world wide to accompany them on the trek into Base Camp. The national organization, in each of the seven countries, will nominate and sponsor a representative who is a role model, and charismatic outdoor person. The group will be as diverse in gender, disability, age and ethnic origin as is practical. The common language of the expedition will be English.

Capability

For sixteen years Whittaker's Cooperative Wilderness Handicapped Outdoor Group ( C.W.HOG ) has been at the forefront of self-directed outdoor adventure recreation for people with physical disabilities. Combining their talents with Cindy Whittaker and Prescott College, students they will do a reconnaissance of the route immediately prior to the trek and provide the organizational expertise and support for the trek. Asian Trekking, the largest Nepalese outfitter is providing the logistical infrastructure.

March 5th - C.W.HOG/ Prescott College reconnaissance trip to Base Camp.

April 1st - Everest Challenge team members establish Base Camp .

April 10th - International disabled trekkers arrive Kathmandu. Meet up with C.W.HOG and Prescott College personnel, who act as a resource on the route to Base Camp.

April 15th - Everest Challenge team establish camps to the South Col.

May 7th - C.W.HOG trekkers arrive Base Camp .

May 20th - C.W.HOG trekkers arrive Kathmandu.

May 10th.- May 30th - Everest Challenge team summits on Everest!

May 30th - Break camp. Incinerate and recycle garbage. Ship oxygen cylinders to U.S.

June 15th - Team returns to countries of origin