Duncan Chessell Expeditions: Chad Cornes wonders what it would be like to climb Mt Everest
As Duncan Chessell rifles through his kit, memories from Mount Everest come flooding back along with reminders of just how far "summiteers" - as they're known - push the human envelope.
"We put some foam around the handle so that when you're holding onto it your hands don't freeze to the metal," explained Duncan.
Frostbite's a constant threat in the Himalayas and that's why he pays up to twelve hundred dollars per boot.
"I value each of my toes at more than two hundred dollars each so I think they're worthwhile."
All this gear got Duncan Chessell to the top of the world's tallest peak but it's the handheld hi-def camera that can take us all there. Ever felt "on top of the world"? Well before you reach such heights, you go through weeks of unmitigated torture in readiness for the final assault on Everest.
It's a lung bursting, gut wrenching, and mind expanding exercise, tinged with elation, sheer exhaustion, extreme fear and an overwhelming sense of personal achievement.
Some elite Nepalese sherpas like Namgia, who accompanied Duncan on his last trip, have climbed Everest several times. They're freaks of nature. Some western climbers like Duncan have done it twice. They too are freaks of nature prepared to leave the comforts of Adelaide suburbia for a crack at the pinnacle of the world and human endurance.
Postcards asked Duncan to take a camera with him on his Everest assault last May when he escorted a party of ten climbers - 2 from Adelaide.
"If you've ever wondered what it's like to take those last few steps to the summit of Mount Everest, let's go do it. May 23, 2007, summit number two... Oh a long day... Look at that." That's how Duncan described his venture on his handicam.
By this stage Duncan was reliant on his oxygen bottle. Ahead of him - what looks like rubbish. In fact it's a swirling mass of Tibetan prayers flags placed by others who made it up this far.
A few more steps and he's on the "roof of the world".
"You are looking around at all these enormous peaks below you," said Duncan. "It was also a little bit scary because I was the last one up for the day and my job was to come down at the back and make sure everyone else was OK. But I was also thinking what about me? Who's looking after me?" he laughed.
"You are a long way up. Base camp is four kilometres below you vertically so you've got a long way to go down."
From the warmth of his Magill lounge room, Duncan recalls the 6 weeks he spent in the Himalayas acclimatising to the thin air and minus 50 degrees temperatures.
Some, like fellow Adelaide climber, Katie Sarah managed to get to within four hundred metres of the summit before turning back. Up here it pays to know your limitations.
"It was time to turn around or she knew she wouldn't make it. (A smart move because) sadly, there are sign posts of bodies along the route of people who have not listened to perhaps their times lines or not listened to their own body and pushed it too hard."
It's a long way from the intimidating slopes of the Himalayas to the bush tracks of Morialta but this part of the Hills is pivotal to Duncan Chessell's life. When not on the slopes of Everest, crossing the icy wastes of the Antarctic or trudging through the mud and leech ridden jungle of the Kokoda Track in New Guinea, Duncan is here with future expedition members strengthening the legs, expanding the lungs and improving his climbing technique.
"We've been taking people all around the world, basically all seven continents for the last seven or eight years. Antarctica has been very popular more recently and Kokoda. We do a lot of groups along the Kokoda and take them training in the hills here for maybe an eight or ten week program."
Why does he do it and why do others follow through the mud of the Kokoda, the ice and snow of Antarctica and the frightening climbs of Everest? The George Mallory quote on Duncan's T-shirt says it all - 'Because it's there.'
Getting a tour group back alive - that can be the tricky bit.
"We've had seven out of nine members to the summit, the other two got to eight and a half thousand metres and turned around for various reasons."
For real adventure contact DCXP - Duncan Chessell Expeditions on 8232 4433 or check out Duncan's website: www.dcxp.com If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au
DCXP Duncan Chessell Expeditions
Level 1
208 Rundle Street
Adelaide
Ph 8232 4433Published 8th July 2007
