Four Maltese climbers this week left Malta to climb Mount Everest. Douglas Barbaro Sant, Matthew Xerri, Gregory Attard and Raphael Fenech Adami will in fact be the first Maltese climbers to scale the North East Ridge of Mount Everest during a two-month expedition during which the four climbers will also be raising funds for Dar tal-Providenza in Siggiewi. Dressed in their newly arrived bright orange down suits, three team members recently visited Express Trailers’ Head Office where they were presented with a sponsorship in aid of their challenge. The orange down suits are in fact being sponsored by Express Trailers and will feature the company’s logo embroidered on them. The team will also be carrying the Express Trailers flag on top of Mount Everest.

 

What prompted this challenge?

The four of us where looking to climb something special in 2014. For a few weeks we were all planning something individually until Gregory brought us all together and we consolidated on one idea. Everest from the Northeast ridge in aid of Dar tal-Providenza.

 

When did you start training for it?

It's hard to tell when training started. Getting your body ready for Everest is not about the months leading up to the expedition but a build up through a number of years. I will say that over the past five to six months, the training was ramped up and we were stricter with ourselves when it comes to training schedules and nutrition.

 

How much have you trained?

The training schedules where tailored to work with our normal day to day responsibilities.

Douglas is great a long distance runner so he usually wakes up before his kids to run and fits strength training sessions throughout the week where possible.

Raphael has been through a number of disciplines in his life including soccer and rock climbing. He rides his bike throughout the week and then fits much longer rides in the weekend when he is away from his office.

Gregory’s schedule is less routine due to his profession as a doctor. In his free time he fits long runs and strength training, sometimes in a single day to expose his body to lengthy days such as those on the mountain.

Matthew developed a routine of morning and evening workouts. He'd wake up at 4.30am for a small snack then head to Crossfit which involves high intensity, interval training. After that he'd fuel up on a healthy breakfast. In the evenings he'd do Olympic lifting to serve as strength training. Weekends are then mixed up to involve bike riding or tire pulls or strength training and then some rest. Nutrition and 8hrs+ of sleep where considered equally important.

 

This is the first time that Maltese climbers are attempting the north side of Everest. What are the main challenges that you will be facing and what makes this climb more challenging?

The Northeast ridge of Everest is visited by roughly 1/4 of the climbers that visit Everest each year. The rest climb it from the South. The Northeast ridge presents a number of different challenges to the climbers. There will be colder temperatures than other parts of the mountain that can reach as low as -45C. The higher winds will make those temperatures feel even colder as the Northeast ridge is infamous for its windy climbing days. The summit push introduces a new challenge as well. Considering that you are at 8000m and above, every task is arduous. Mental capacity is diminished and your focus shifts towards making each step count. Albeit all this there is some rock climbing to be done at that altitude. The 3 Steps will need to be negotiated before reaching the summit pyramid. These are rock climbs easily done at sea level but not at 8000m+, in a down suit, big boots and breathing through and oxygen mask that restricts visibility. There is also no evacuation from the Northeast ridge. Helicopters cannot land on the mountain so smart decisions are critical to safe guard the lives of the climbers. You must make sure that you can get off the mountain under your own power.

 

How much weight will you be carrying each?

We will have around 50Kg worth of equipment each and another 40Kg shared between the team. These include clothes, communication equipment, climbing equipment and comfort food. Most of the equipment will be used on the mountain at some point but not all of it is carried at one go. We will use the acclimatisation rotations to shift the necessary equipment as need. This will eventually include the oxygen cylinders. It must be mentioned that we will have very strong Sherpas helping us out throughout the expedition. Their body has evolved at high altitude and they strength is unmatched by any climber. 

 

In what ways do you feel this trip will be a rewarding experience for each of you?

New surrounding Everest every season would lead you to believe that the mountain is no longer relative. The fact is that the mountain still holds plenty of mystery. It is a climbing museum that is open to us, a place for climbers to test their skills for an opportunity to reach the highest point on our blue planet. It’s a two month emotional ride that will test the mind as well as the body - away from creature comforts and exposed to constant cold. We expect this experience to humble us in a way we've never experienced before. It’s going to be an adventure and we expect nothing less. We also have a different goal to keep in mind. We hope to raise some much needed funds for Dar tal-Providenza. I'm sure that we will use the charity as motivation to keep us going up during those harder days.

 

Express Trailers has supported the Everest 14 Team. Franco Azzopardi, Express Trailers Chairman and CEO Express Trailers says:

We are going to keep a close look on these guys as we watch them accomplish what should be one of their most challenging personal feats ever. As we watch them, we are going to feel very proud that Express Trailers has actively contributed to making this feat possible and will be present with them in spirit since they will be carrying our flag to the summit.

Our interest in this challenge stems from two objectives presented to us by the team. We are in the business of ‘delivering’ many times against several odds and challenges. This team’s quest to deliver our flag to the summit of the Everest is a test of physical and mental fortitude, and a demonstration of near-perfect logistic and tact. The other objective to raise funds for charity is a noble gesture of altruism which resonates with our Emanuel Vella Charity Fund initiatives. I augur these four Maltese climbers the best of conditions and a safe return.

 

Follow the team on https://www.facebook.com/maltaeverest14

Donations can be made to BOV Account number: 4002207852-0 | Everest 2014 | Valletta. More information about this expedition on www.everest14.com/charity/