Climbers ready for Mt Everest
Three Maltese climbers have started their final training ahead of the first ever Maltese attempt to conquer Mount Everest, in May.
Gregory Attard, Robert Gatt and Marco Cremona are no newcomers to the challenges of mountaineering, having climbed Mt Cho Oyu last year to place the Maltese flag on the world's sixth highest peak at a temperature of minus 29 degrees.
That climb, within sight of Mt Everest, was held in preparation for this year's challenge to reach the 'roof of the world' at 8,850 metres.
The climbers explained today that their expedition would take them 61 days, including an acclimatisation climb on the 6,150 metre Nirekha peak. They hope to reach the top of Mt Everest on May 14, on the 49th day of their expedition.
Assisting them will be world famous climber Victor Saunders and a local Sherpa who has climbed the mountain 13 times - once every year since he turned 20.
"We are not underestimating the difficulties, being so far from medical assistance, even a simple fracture can have serious consequences," Dr Attard said.
The final preparations will include a two-day climb of Mt Etna in an expedition which normally takes four days, and a march all around Malta in which the public will be invited to take part. The climbers will then spend the night in a blast freezer at a temperature of minus 46 degrees at the Dewfresh factory and members of the public would be able to join them for 10 minutes at a time.
Preparations for the expedition actually started two years ago and have included a strict diet regime and cardio vascular and other physical exercise.
Mr Cremona said that the Everest expedition would cost the climbers €100,000. They will fork out some of the money, but are also receiving assistance by Bank of Valletta and Duracell.
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M Muscat
Feb 4th 2010, 09:05
Good luck and may God gives you his protection.
By the way, the interview is with Marco CREMONA and not Gerada.
John warr
Feb 3rd 2010, 23:46
Prosit!Good luck.I fully admire the focus and committment.25 years ago I climbed Mt.Fiji (circa 12000 ft),met my wife half way up and the rest is history as they say.
Stay safe and be very Proud of what you are just about to embark on.
Jesmond Micallef
Feb 3rd 2010, 21:13
My very best wishes to these very brave and sportive people. Take extreme good care of yourselves. Good luck.
David Gauci
Feb 3rd 2010, 17:29
Good Luck Marco and team to reach the top of the world.
A. Schembri
Feb 3rd 2010, 14:35
Good luck to Gregory and the team. Keep it up and all the very best.
Simon Alden
Feb 3rd 2010, 14:33
On behalf of the Maltese climbing community and members of the Malta Climbing Club I wish Robert, Marco and Gregory all the best of luck in the world. Such an ascent is a historic event for Malta that will serve as a shining example to all Maltese climbers of what is achievable given courage, hard work and determination. Even if they don't succeed for whatever reason, the attempt itself is breaking new ground and is to be highly commended. Lets hope we see a pic of Maltese flag waving soon from the highest point in the world.
Trevor Mallia
Feb 3rd 2010, 13:18
Good luck to this very brave group.
I would also like to wish the best of luck to another group that shall be climbing the Kilimanjaro next week, to gather funds for charity. I don't know all the group, but one of them Michael Conti is a very dear freind of mine and I wish to wish him and his freinds the very best of luck.
Dennis Gatt
Feb 3rd 2010, 12:32
Good luck Robert and all the team.
ABORG
Feb 3rd 2010, 12:20
Good luck to all the team!!
salvu azzopardi
Feb 3rd 2010, 10:56
go on gregory... don't be faint hearted....you can do it. WE LOVE U GREEEG.