There have been more"1han 400 ascents of Everest since Tenzig Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary first reached the top in 1953.
152 people have died trying to get to or from the top.
Mt. Everest, 29,028 feet of potential disaster with winds gusting in excess of 120 mph and exposed flesh freezing in seconds. crevasses and icefalls have caused instant fatalities and high altitude sickness produces pulmonary and cerebral edema (fluid
ng in the lungs and brain). No wonder the sponsors of the Colliers Lotus Notes Everest Expedition were waiting for the safe return of eight man team this June before publicly promoting their involvement. "We aren't planning to talk," said Gloria Simpson, a spokeswoman from Lotus, "because of certain sensitivities stemming from
last year's tragedy." The wife of one of the climbers was equally hesitant, "I'm not allowed to talk about it without permission. I've been told not to
Ik." When asked if she feared for her husband's safety, she paused before responding, "I don't have the emotiona I
energy to think about that right now." Michael Dingle of Colliers did acknowledge that while his company was originally apprehensive about sponsoring a summit
they eventually decided that if "you don't take risks, you;1I never succeed." Suppliers for the expedition included Bolle, presumably to protect against snowblindness, and the John Ingle Health Insurance
roup which, well . .. death.
