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Raising the awareness about Cancer has long been a mission for Sharm Naicker, a mountaineer from Durban.

As we all know, overcoming odds and beating cancer is a major obstacle, Sharms’ goal is to educate people about the decease and help them overcome the odds. Sharm comes from a family with a long history of cancer, which included many loses, so taking the fight to cancer is something very dear to him.

In a bid to raise much needed awareness for the illness, Sharm’s next great challenge with be to become the first South African born Indian to tame North Face of the very inhospitable Mount Everest. He was incidentally the first South African Indian to conquer the much lower South Face. Although he will not be the first South African to climb Mount Everest, it’s always good to see another South African flag up there.

One obstacle still standing in his way however, is funding. We are appealing to you for any donations, no matter what the size. Every little cent counts, lets help him realize his dream. In order to make the expedition Sharm needs to raise in excess of R372 500,00.

For a breakdown of Sharms’ financial requirements:
Email: memteverest@gmail.com

Mount Everest

Despite being the highest mountains on planet Earth, Himalaya Mountains including Mt. Everest are relatively younger than their American and European counterparts such as the Andes, the Alps, and the Rockies. European climbers were able to get close to Everest only when Tibet was open to outsiders in the 1920s. Since then, the Everest has fascinated the mountaineers all over the world. George Mallory gave the reason behind his interest in Everest Expeditions quipping, ‘Because it’s there’.

Unfortunately, Mallory and Irvine disappeared high on the mountain in 1924. Mt. Everest was first summited in 1953 by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Edmund Hillary via the South Col. Everest is certainly a lifetime opportunity. Climbing Everest from the Tibet side is relatively easier and less costly than climbing from the Nepal side. Still, Everest expeditions encounter many seen and unseen obstacles including high altitude, harsh weather conditions and even sheer exhaustion.

We make your Tibet visa and other necessary documents for the Everest Expedition. After 3 days, we drive toward Nepal-Tibet border up to the Friendship Bridge. We take time to acclimatize with one night at Zhangmu (2300m) and two nights at Nylam (3750m). Then we drive to Tingri (4350m) where we spend further two nights for acclimatization. Then we drive to Everest Base camp (5200m) also called the Chinese base camp.

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu – 1350m

Upon your arrival in the Tribhuvan international airport, our representative will welcome you and will assist to transfer you in your hotel in Kathmandu. You may relax at your hotel or go around for shopping. In the evening Himalayan Glacier Trekking will organize welcome dinner for you in one of the typical Nepalese restaurant in the heart of Kathmandu meanwhile briefing about your adventurous trip will take place. Overnight at hotel. (T,B,L,D)

Day 02-03: Rest in Kathmandu

Sightseeing and Preparation for Everest Expedition. While the leader attends a formal briefing in the Ministry of Tourism, you will explore the fascinating city of Kathmandu. You will visit famous Stupa, Boudhnath and the popular Hindu pilgrimage site, Pashupatinath Temple. In the late afternoon, the leader will check everyone’s equipment, as Kathmandu is the last opportunity to buy anything missing. You will also get introduced with fellow expedition members and guides. Overnight at hotel. (T,B,L,D)

Day 04: Drive to Boarder to Tibet – 2800m

Day 05-10: Drive Everest Base Camp 5150m with enough acclimatization

Day 11-15: Acclimatize at Everest Base Camp

Depending on the weather, we may explore around Base Camp (there are some fun places to camp at) for around a week or move up to Advanced Base Camp more quickly.

Day 16: Trek Interim camp – 5600m

Day 17: Trek Advanced Base Camp 6400m

Day 18-21: Acclimatize at Advanced Base Camp

We have a puja to show respect for the mountain.

Day:22-53: The climbing Period

We plan one longer acclimatization trip on the mountain and we may make a second trip up to North Col. We will return to Base Camp to recover before making a summit attempt. We summit as a team in one or two groups. In general solo summit attempts without lots of backup are not possible.

Day 54: Advanced Base Camp packing

Day 55: Trek to Base Camp

Day 56: Drive Kathmandu

Day 57: Depart from Kathmandu

The Climb

Base Camp (17,000 ft /5666m) to Advanced Base Camp (ABC) (21,300 ft/6400m)

It’s about 20 km from BC to ABC which involves hiking on boulders, ice and snow. Normally, we stop at an interim camp on the first day for acclimatization purpose. The next day we arrive at the ABC by following the Rongbuk Glacier. ABC lies under the slopes of Changtse Mountain on the northwestern side moraine of East Rongbuk Glacier. ABC serves as the primary high camp home for the rest of expedition period.

ABC to Camp 1 (23,000 ft/7000m)

Climb steadily toward the Camp 1. There will be one steep section of 60 degrees that will feel vertical. Clip into the fixed rope and use their ascenders. Descend by using rappelling. Place a few ladders over deep crevasses. Camp 1 or the North Col is a 2,200 ft climb from ABC. Depending upon acclimatizing and weather, it takes between 5 to 7 hours from ABC to Camp 1.

Camp 1 to Camp 2 (24,750 ft/7500m)

The route from Camp 2 is generally snow but it can be rock in case of high winds. Takes about 3 to 5 hours to reach Camp 2. Camp 2 may also be used as the highest acclimatization camp.

Camp 2 to Camp 3 (25,600 ft/7900m)

Extremely windy Climb. Tents on small rock ledges. the wind is usually blocked by the North Face of Everest At camp 3. Takes between 3 to 6 hours to reach Camp 3. Since, we are now almost at 8000m, it’s recommended to sleep on supplemental oxygen.

Camp 3 to Camp 4 (27,390 ft/8300m)

Follow the fixed rope through a snow filled gully; part of the Yellow Band. Take a small ramp and reach the northeast ridge proper. Camp 4 is a short rest stop. Have some food and water, perhaps a short nap and start for the summit.

Camp 4 Through Three Steps to Summit

Three “steps” or rock climbs to be attempted. The route along the 1st Step goes to the right of the high point. The 1st Step is steep and challenging requiring hard pulling on the fixed ropes in the final gully to the ridge. The 2nd step is the core and difficult part of the climb with the Chinese Ladder. First, climb about 10' of rock slab then the near vertical 30' ladder. The 3rd Step is somewhat straightforward yet challenging rock climb due to high altitude. Spend the next hour to climb the steep snow fields of the Summit Pyramid – a steep snow slope, often windy and extremely cold. Navigate around a large out cropping and experience three more small rock steps on a ramp before the final ridge climb to the summit. The Summit Ridge is the final 500' horizontal distance along the ridge to the summit and is quite exposed. It will another 4 to 6 hours to get back to Camp 3.

Weather Conditions

The springtime from March to May is considered the favorable weather for Everest climbing. However, the weather conditions in Everest are never fully predictable. Temperatures may get as low as minus 20C in summer, but can drop to minus 60C or even lower during winter. The possibility of bad weather such as snow, wind, and cloud should also be taken into account. Similarly, the wind speeds may rise to 80Km/h (50mph). At the Base camp the temperature is about 15C warmer than at the summit. The oxygen level around 7,000m is only 40% of what it is at the sea level.