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Everest 2003: Ellis Stewart
"LIVING
THE DREAM 2003"
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ELLIS
SCALES EVEREST IN LOCAL SHOPPING CENTRE
On Saturday 8th
March, Ellis attempted to climb all 29,035 feet of
Everest on a Versa Climber aerobic exercise machine.
This has been achieved before, but not that often and
not by many people. A special stage had been rigged in
Elliss hometown shopping centre, The Middleton Grange
and over 32,000 people throughout the day witnessed
his attempt.
With the backing and
assistance of Middleton Grange Ellis began the mammoth
task at 9.30 in the morning, estimating a finish time
of around 4.30 pm.
The Steel Making
Fitness Centre at the BOS plant of Corus Plc (Formerly
British Steel) in Lackenby in Cleveland sponsored the
event by kindly loaning the versa climber for the
attempt.
The aim of the
attempt was to raise funds towards the actual real
Everest climb itself, but to also raise the awareness
of the climb of Everest within Elliss local
community.
After an interview on
the Stuart McFarland breakfast show for BBC Radio
Cleveland, he was ready.
Beginning at 9.30 am
Ellis began steady away, and quickly climbed higher
than some Historic landmarks. Nelsons Column,
Blackpool Tower, Eiffel Tower, Empire State building,
all where quickly passed as Ellis began to find a
rhythm.
Climbing at a rate of
around 110 feet per minute Ellis reached the height of
Mont Blanc (15,771 ft), the highest of the European
Alps after about 3½ hours of climbing. After around
4-5 hours of continuous climbing cramp began to set
in, and Elliss feet became unbearably painful. Ellis
kept climbing, still might we add with no toilet stop.
At exactly 4.28pm
after seven exhausting hours of stepping on the versa
climber Ellis passed the magical barrier of 29,035
feet (Newly adjusted claim of National Geographic
Everest Height).
Ellis was one
extremely exhausted individual, but highly elated at
having achieved what he set out to do. Ellis now
becomes part of a unique group of people in having
climbed the height of Everest on the Versa Climber,
and it was also very good training for the real climb
to come in the coming weeks.
Ellis would like to
thank the following for making the attempt a reality:
Cormac Hamilton,
Manager, Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, Hartlepool
Forum Marketing,
Newcastle upon Tyne
Eddie Manning, Corus
Plc, Redcar Cleveland
BBC Radio Cleveland
Klaus Svensson, Versa
Climber UK
 Dispatches
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