Everest trek – journey of a lifetime

With a journey of a lifetime almost behind them, the South African team trekking Mount Everest is expected to reach their final destination tomorrow (Friday), after having braved elements ranging from treacherous terrain to plummeting temperatures.
In the meantime one of the team members, Mrs South Africa Nicole Capper, had to be airlifted to Kathmandu after seemingly suffering from altitude sickness early Tuesday (South African time), but was expected to have joined the team again to finish the expedition.
Polokwane entrepreneur Sarel Nong, who is part of the adventure, has been sending through regular updates with photos via whatsapp from Everest.
A message around 05:00 on Tuesday read that Capper had been airlifted to Kathmandu due to difficulty breathing. Around 08:30 he said she was fine and was due to finish the trek with the rest of the team members, who were all well.
Nong is due back in Polokwane on Sunday morning after having left on 2 April. He joined the expedition team at OR Tambo International for the evening flight to Dubai and then Kathmandu.
The expedition was being led by Sibusiso Vilane, experienced climber and motivational speaker, who would have proceeded to the summit of Everest from the base camp they had reached on Saturday afternoon.
The camp apparently served as their route marker for the descent. Vilane, the first black African to have reached the summit of Everest, was all set for undertaking the climb to more than 8 800 metres above sea level without the assistance of oxygen.
On Monday the temperature along the route apparently hovered at around -35 °C.

Story: YOLANDE NEL
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