|
American
Sean Swarner takes on Everest: A Cancer's Survivors Journey
to the World's highest Summit
 |
He keeps going....
He clearly is very determined.
Can't
you just hear Jon Krakauer saying,
"I told you so!"
|
|
Then
again, that is not really true, Jon Krakauer
has
not said that (yet!) and Sean is NOT
going with a " commercial
expedition" like Krakauer was referring to, well
not really anyway (details later in the story). In
fact, Sean shared with us that he
approached a few commercial Everest
expeditions about joining their teams. At
least one, Christine
Feld-Boskoff
aka Christine
Boskoff owner of Mountain Madness (Scott
Fisher's former company) turned him down
on the phone ! No Sean is going with Wongchu
Sherpa.
Wongchu
Sherpa? You ask !
Well
in 2002, Wongchu Sherpa, is Pete Athans' agent to
organize both of his expedition on Everest! (The West
ridge and the NGS South Side expedition with Peter
Hillary...) Wongchu has organized expeditions for David Breashears, Goran Kropp and
many others... The details of each of these
expeditions and the "role" Wongchu has
played, is more of the low key/behind the scenes organizer
from what we can determine.
However,
in this case, Wongchu Sherpa, appears to be providing
Sean with a full guided Everest expedition. Sean tell
EverestNews.com, "The $42,000 covers the land costs in Nepal.
The international flight
is NOT included (about $1,000 - $1,500). Wongchu is very well connected. In general, the $42,000 covers all the basics to get
you from Kathmandu to
the top of the mountain and back to Kathmandu.
Any expense or equipment
related to documenting this event, such as
professional photographers, video
journalists, etc., is not included. To answer your questions:
250 porters or 125 yak or some of both will carry
all the gear, equipment and
food to base camp for the team [his and the others
Wongchu is supporting]. Food and
lodging for all these men/women and
yak is included for the duration of their service.
Their salary is also
included. Tips, gifts are not included and are
optional. The climbing team of 7 members will be assigned
11-12 highly experienced Sherpa climbing guides. There will be a crew of Sherpas that will maintain the route
especially through the icefall. These men are hired by all of the
expeditions at base
camp during the season. Each expedition pays this group collectively.
They
act as porters and their fees and services are included in the $42,000.
Also
all food and lodging for these men is included for the duration of the
expedition. Sherpa support staff is also included, cooks, etc., and food
and
lodging (tents, sleeping bags) for these people as well.
Also basic health care and health insurance for all of the Nepalese men and
women who are involved in this expedition is also included. Oxygen is included. Above base camp everyone carries oxygen.
Climbers carry
1-2 bottles (7 kilos each). Sherpas carry 3 bottles. On summit day,
each
climber will have three bottles for personal use if needed. You may find budget
Everest climbs for $22,000 (more or less). This type of climb is not a full scale expedition. These are for highly
experienced climbers and often do not include tents, oxygen, experienced
Sherpa guides, support staff, porters, food and lodging for everyone,
domestic flight, permits, national park fees, etc. " , Sean
So
Sean is leaving on March 19th from Denver. He
knows he is going to be controversial, "yea, i know
I'm going to be VERY controversial. I know I'm going to get a LOT of arguments and a
LOT of negative people hounding me..."
But
Sean is very determined...
The story continues
|
|
