|
Graham
Hoyland left on Wednesday for Kathmandu again. This
will be his 6th expedition to Everest. Graham Hoyland
is returning to Everest this Autumn 2001
in search of the clues to resolve the Mystery of
George Mallory and Sandy Irvine and to support balloon pilot David
Hempleman-Adams who plans to fly over Everest. Graham is the great
nephew of legendary climber Howard Somervell. Somervell and Mallory were dear
friends and one-time climbing partners. They crossed paths on Everest in June 1924, as
Mallory and Irvine were making their ill fated attempt at the Summit of Everest. Somervell
lent Mallory his Kodak camera in hopes that Mallory and Irvine would succeed in obtaining
the Summit. Mallory and Irvine disappeared into the clouds above camp 6 never to be seen
alive again. Somervell's camera became a tantalizing clue to one of the enduring mysteries
on our age. Did Mallory or Irvine actually reach the Summit of Everest ?
Graham
will be joining up with balloon pilot David Hempleman-Adams, who
climbed Everest in 1993. David, a famous explorer in his
own right, is inspired by a flight over Everest in the
30's by two airmen. David Hempleman-Adams has
completed the seven summits and
the Adventure Grand Slam, (the 7
Summits and both poles).
The
flight is expected to last 20 minutes and land in
Nepal. There are several very experienced team members
(technical balloon people) on the expedition. The
take-off point is Rongbuk valley with a take off date
of date around 20th Sept expected. Graham
told us earlier that "David will be flying more than half the flight
solo. Cameras will be mounted to the basket."
This is
a very high tech expedition with the best weather
reports from the UK, satellite phone communications,
and all the goodies.
David
is an experienced balloonist and was the first person
to fly solo across the Arctic Ocean and has set the UK
record for solo ballooning. He will be wearing a special
suit designed by NASA ! It is a very risky plan, with the main risk begin the balloon could
crash into the mountain and he would have to climb
down, if possible.
To
quote Graham, "It's
fairly risky."
On
Irvine, the "Whole
thing is dependent upon weather and visibility."
We
are unclear on the current status on Graham's plans to go up in
the balloon. He is planning to send us reports every
4-5 days. Stay
Tuned...
You
can support Graham's Quest to solve the Mallory or Irvine
mystery by purchasing his book "DEATH ON EVEREST"
today !!!
Dispatches
>>>>
|
