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COLUMN: The Great Virtual Mount Everest Climb – The Summit

Mountaineer Martin (aged 64) and grandson Nanatuk Nathan (aged 11) are [virtually] climbing Mount Everest, 200 stairs per day. They left Base Camp (17,600 feet) on April 14th and hope to reach the summit of Everest (29,029 feet) on July 17th.
Day 95 Route
Mountaineer Martin and Nanatuk Nathan reach the summit of Mount Everest.

Mountaineer Martin (aged 64) and grandson Nanatuk Nathan (aged 11) are [virtually] climbing Mount Everest, 200 stairs per day. They left Base Camp (17,600 feet) on April 14th and hope to reach the summit of Everest (29,029 feet) on July 17th. In total, it will take 95 days including 4 Camp rest days. This is their journal:

Day 95 of 95: Summit Everest: Friday, July 17th 2020 (Elevation 29,028 feet: Stairs 18,200: Vertical height climbed 11,429 feet)

Mountaineer Martin and Nanatuk Nathan

Sherpa Jyamchang woke us up early and we had breakfast. It was time for the final push. As we started to the top we could see a worm of light slowly moving up a dark wall. It was the headlights of climbers flickering in the dark. It was completely silent. Nobody was talking. We climbed and climbed, waiting the first ray of dawn. It was desperately cold and there were some very icy parts. The ice axe and crampons barely cut into the ice.

We reached the Balcony and Sherpa Jyamchang gave us all new oxygen bottles. Ever upwards, we reached a small plateau of the South Summit and there – just around the corner – was Everest summit itself! Continuing on, as we pushed towards our goal, Sherpa Jyamchang helped us over the final challenge………The Hillary Step. Finally, we reached another white edge, but this time it didn’t continue. Looking over the edge, there was a slope down instead. This was the North side of Everest. Nanatuk Nathan, Mountaineer Martin and Sherpa Jyamchang had reached the summit.

Great job Nanatuk Nathan……You did it!

Martin and Nathan are raising funds to support Sherpa Jyamchang and his fellow Sherpa’s who have lost their jobs and livelihood due to the closure of Mount Everest on March 15th. So far they have raised $1,002 of the $5,000 target. If you would like to help them then please go to www.martinparnell.com and hit the big, red “DONATE” button. Thank you.

© 2020 Martin Parnell [email protected] www.martinparnell.com

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