Getting closer to the summit
The majestic Mount Cho Oyu.
The summit of Mount Cho Oyu is only 3,000 metres away from the three Maltese challengers taking part in Challenge8000.
The challengers - Marco Cremona, Robert Gatt and Gregory Attard, reached base camp yesterday, a Chinese camp where they are spending three nights in individual tents.
So far, they have only had to deal with minor physical ailments including slight nausea and headaches as their bodies adjust to the new altitudes. The base camp is 15,000 feet above sea level.
The team reported that it snowed lightly this morning and the temperature at sunrise was five degrees Celsius.
They said that from now on, waiting was the name of the game.
In the first week of their expedition they have already climbed to over 5,000 metres and the summit was just over 3,000 metres away. But they were 3,000 metres which needed some six weeks to be tackled - physically and mentally.
These six weeks were expected to get exponentially harder as the team climbed into harsher and more unforgiving terrain and as the solitude and physical difficulties increased.
The team is climbing Cho Oyu in preparation for their attempt to climb Mount Everest next year. Should they succeed, they would be the first Maltese to have reached the summit of Mount Everest.
They are being guided by world-renowned Scottish mountaineer Victor Saunders.
The three Maltese have taken up the challenge to raise awareness about asthma and air quality in Malta - it is estimated that 10 per cent of the population is suffering from this pulmonary condition - through its association with the Society of Maltese Asthmatics and the Stop the Dust campaign.
See also:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/life/feats-and-challenges/challenge-8000
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Carmel Cacopardo
Sep 5th 2009, 23:17
Good Luck to the Team
TONY FORMOSA
Sep 5th 2009, 18:17
*BEST NEWS OF THE DAY. EVERONE KNOWS THAT IT'S A VERY DIFFICULT CHALLENGE AND THE TASK WILL ONLY BECOME HARDER.
HERE's WISHING THE TEAM A MOST SUCCESSFUL VENTURE. MALTA WILL BE DELIGHTED WHEN OUR NATIONAL FLAG IS SEEN ON THE SUMMIT.
COURAGE LADS.
YOU CAN DO IT.THEN FOR BIGGER CHALLENGES WHICH LIE AHEAD.
WE'RE EVER SO PROUD OF YOU.
TONY FORMOSA
TONY FORMOSA
Joseph Meli
Sep 5th 2009, 17:30
May the Lord Jesus Christ and our Lady Mary be with Marco Cremona, Robert Gatt and Gregory Attard and the world-renowned Scottish mountaineer Victor Saunders always, day and night to guide them and protect them in this expedition and challenge.
The three Maltese that have taken this challenge to raise awareness about asthma sufferers and against the bad air quality that we do have in Malta and Gozo. I am quite sure that many Maltese will keep them in their daily prayers, even if you are no longer a Christian or believer in God, I am sure that you are going to keep them in your private prayers. GOD BE WITH YOU ALL.....pass your prayers intention to others.....to follow....
Ottilia Terribile
Sep 5th 2009, 16:36
Good luck to all the team.
Randolph Peresso
Sep 5th 2009, 15:47
Goodluck
John Farrugia
Sep 5th 2009, 15:39
This is where the actual challenge begins. Up to 5000 metres most can manage the struggle with the altitude if trained to climb and mentally focused but as you start exceeding this mark, one has to be very experienced and knowledgeable on what he/she is doing as it can be dangerous too. Wish them all best of luck and hope they all succeed in their mission.