According to this story, 82-year old Shailendra Kumar Upadhyaya is on his way to Everest Base Camp this week, where he hopes to become the oldest person to ever climb that mountain. The Nepalese man began his trek from Lukla on Tuesday and is expected to arrive in BC next week.
Upadhyaya is the former foreign minister for Nepal, and he says that he wants to climb the mountain to prove that older people can still be healthy and strong enough to achieve such a feat. If successful, he’ll break the record currently held by his countryman Min Bahadur Sherchan, who summitted Everest back in 2008 at the age of 76.
As the world’s tallest mountain, standing 8848 meters (29,029 ft) in height, Everest will pose quoite a challenge for the octogenarian. He hopes to complete the climb within 45 days, which would put him on course to summit in early June, right before the monsoon moves in for the season. If he does summit, it’ll be an impressive feat not just because of his age. According to this story, he has no experience in climbing mountains.
Good luck! You’re going to need it!
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This man doesn't belong anywhere near Everest; 82 and no climbing experience? Everest gets sillier everyday. The man's certainly going to need luck, and a lot of it!
But…but he's Nepalese! 😉
Maybe at 82 this is a Romantic way to go so why not?
The only bad thing about it is if other people get put in danger. Other than that, not much to lose and a lot to gain.
Good point! I can think of worse ways to go.
People shouldn't unnecessarily risk their lives . Everybody raised a doubt about the fitness of Shailendra Upadhyaya of Nepal trying to ascent Mount Everest this season to break the previous record for the oldest person. In doing so he had to give his life on the hilly terrain of Everest. Very sad news. However this could have been avoided.
That is amazing. I was in my 30's when I attempted Everest and it was insane. I can't image trying it again at 60, let alone being 82!
Here is my video based on my Everest climb if you are interested.
http://youtu.be/htQlyNyRgOw