A step closer to the Pinoy Everest Dream

Only the fittest survive. Now down to only sixteen members after arduous trainings, the 1st Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition continues to conquer the altitude and harsh conditions of the world’s mightiest mountains in preparation for their ultimate challenge of reaching the peak of Mt. Everest.

Adhering to the global campaign of equipment The North Face mountaineering gear, "Never Stop Exploring", the team composed of mountaineer cum all-around athletes continued their series of preparatory climbs with a 10-day Technical Mountain Course training in Mt. Cook National Park in New Zealand. Here they tackled the 8,550 ft. Mt. Aylmer and the 27 km long and 3 km wide Tasman Glacier, the biggest among the range of glaciers present in the park.

The team was confronted by the rugged topography covered in snow where they were trained by four expert mountain guides, and by Bill Atkins, another mountaineering expert with extensive experience climbing the Himalayas.

"Although Mt. Cook’s altitude of 3,754 meters is relatively lower than the 6,000 meter Kiyonang Peak of India where we previously trained, the technical topography is perfect for 1st time alpine climbers like us because of its rough terrain. This is why most alpinists start training here. Even Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person who reached the peak of Mt. Everest, trained here," said Regie Pablo, team spokesperson and president of the Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines.

Apart from the teaching them effective anchoring system, rope techniques and creating snow caves, the team also learned how to scale the mountain with very minimal equipment. "Our trainors were minimalists so they also encouraged us to scale the mountain only the important equipment. In case scenarios like that arise in the future, at least we are already prepared for it," added Pablo.

In New Zealand, the team set unofficial records like reaching the summit of the 8,550 ft. Mt. Aylmer which they climbed and reached in a short span of time with the most number of training members. They were also able to go down to Mt. Cook Village from their base camp Kelman Hut situated 2,450m. in the middle of the mountain, in a matter of 7 ½ hours only.

"At first we felt that our trainors were not really that confident in our capabilities. But we proved them wrong when 16 members of the team reached Mt. Aylmer ‘s summit in record time! They later admitted to have thought only three or four members of the team would reach the top. Our descent from Kelman Hut took just 7 ½ hours, which according to them usually takes 8 hours. They were impressed with the skills level and physical strength of the Filipino climber. They were impressed with our cooking skills, too," Pablo shared.

Two weeks after they arrived from their training in New Zealand, the expedition team, headed by veteran mountaineer and former DOTC undersecretary Art Valdez, has not stopped from other sustaining activities like swimming laps, biking and gym climbing for cardio vascular strengthening, endurance training and to reinforce what they learned during their recent trip. Now, they have set their eyes on another peak in Nepal which they will face in the 2nd week of May.

The North Face (Uniglobe Travelware, Co. Inc.) Brand Manager Roel Chan lauded the team’s successful training climb, "We take pride in the triumph claimed by the 1st Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition Team and congratulate them for this achievement. The North Face has been sponsoring athletes and expeditions for 35 years now and we are proud to be part of the Philippines’ first Mt. Everest Expedition. They can rest assured that The North Face will continue to support this remarkable endeavor."

"The team has become more confident as the skills level is honed. Filipinos can be very capable climbers when given the opportunity and proper training. That’s why we are thankful to our sponsors like The North Face for the support, and for the training opportunities we get outside the country as these provide us the skills we need to reach Mt. Everest," ended Pablo.

The Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition Team

1. Art Valdez Expedition Leader, former President of the Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines, Inc. (MFPI)
2. Butch Sebastian Former President of MFPI, mountaineer, scuba diver, Has done some alpine climbs in Himalayas and USA
3. Fred Jamili Former President of MFPI, caver, mountaineer, and adventure race setter
4. Regie Pablo Present MFPI President, mountaineer, has reached Razdelnaya Peak (6,148m. asl) in Kyrgyzstan
5. Jong Narciso Mountaineer, climbing gym instructor, adventure race setter
6. Choi Aquino Mountaineer, caver, adventure race setter
7. Erwin Emata Mountaineer, consistent adventure race champion
8. Johnny Boy Anonuevo Mountaineer, adventure race course setter
9. Leo Oracion Champion adventure racer
10. Larry Honoridez Mountaineer, adventure racer
11. Levi Nayangahan Mountaineer, rock climber, adventure racer
12. Janet Belarmino Mountaineer, rock climber, belongs to the top sports climbers, champion triathlete, lawn tennis coach
13. Ariel Ambayec Mountaineer
14. Noel Wenceslao Female adventure racer, won the AXN Hongkong Adventure Race, mountaineer, Physical Education student
15. Karina Dayumdon Mountaineer, adventure racer
16. Dr. Teodoro Esguera Mountaineer, scuba diver, sports doctor, conducted studies on effects of high altitudes on humans with United States Air Force
17. John Tronco Mountaineer, professional photographer. He is the official documentor of the Philippine Everest Team.