Happy New Year to you all!

It’s my 38th birthday today so a good day to announce my plans to return to Everest in 2012!

In April and May, I will once again head to Tibet and make an attempt on the North Ridge.

I had an epic expedition in 2011, fighting tooth abscesses, high altitude pulmonary edema (H.A.P.E), and strong winds up high on the mountain. I kept going when many people would have turned around and gone home.  So with what I learnt from that experience, I shall return better prepared and stronger physically and mentally.

I have updated my  website – climbforhope.wordpress.com  Take a minute to check it out.

In particular take a look at the 3D fly-though I created all the way from basecamp to the summit.  There is now no need to pay thousands of dollars, train for months, then risk your life climbing Everest. You can see it all from the comfort of your computer!

Everest is an expensive exercise whichever style you attempt it.  I could not get this opportunity without the support of sponsors.  I am extremely happy to have signed up with some sponsors already whom I will introduce during the next few weeks, but the search continues for more sponsors to get me there.

I was both amazed and humbled at the interest following my progress on Everest in 2010.  If you enjoyed following the progress, please share the word with your family/friends and get them to sign up so they will receive the updates.

I leave you a quote from the late Goran Kropp. Goran was was a Swedish adventurer and mountaineer.  He is most famous for his May 23, 1996 solo ascent of Mount Everest.  Goran travelled unsupported by bicycle 8000 miles to Everest, climbed the mountain from the Nepalese side without bottled oxygen or Sherpa support then returned 8000 miles by bicycle to Sweden.

“A good climber possesses the courage to turn back – even when the summit is in reach.  He never forgets that the ascent, climbing up, is only half the trip.  You have to get down, too, and most casualties in the mountains happen during the descent.  The greatness of a climber is not measured by his or her ability to reach the summit on the first attempt.  What matters most is your attitude, your will not to give up, to try again.”

So for now its back to training, training, training.

Until next time!

Axe