News | Sunday, 24 May 2009

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Challenge8000 team members back from training expedition

Gregory Attard and Marco Cremona from the Challenge8000 team have just returned from a brief training expedition on Mount Etna, a trekking and climbing venture which lasted a full four days in harsh terrain and very adverse weather conditions.
The third member of the challenge8000 team, Robert Gatt, who resides in London could not make it due to work commitments.
Gregory and Marco led a small group of Maltese trekkers up the challenging and exposed north-east Ridge of Etna. After reaching the top of the ridge, the trekkers planned to traverse the summit of Etna and then descend down the south face. However, a snow blizzard set in once they reached the top of the ridge on the way to the summit, with the visibility going down to zero. They acted on the side of caution, and opted to follow their tracks down the volcano when they had reached an elevation of 2,850 metres.
Attard, who organised and co-ordinated the event, said that besides the physical challenge that Etna involves, this was a great opportunity to test equipment on mountain terrain. The weather was inclement with strong harsh winds which made the upward trek very challenging.
According to Cremona, the Etna trek marked the start of his training and presented an opportunity to try his new 3-layer Everest expedition boots on snow and ice. It also tested their stamina and ability to carry a 20-kg load for more than 8 hours a day.
Gregory Attard, Marco Cremona and Robert Gatt are determined to be the first Maltese team to summit Mt Everest in March 2010. This extreme expedition entails a climb to an elevation of 8848 metres over 10 weeks, during which time they will be exposed to such difficulties as altitude sickness and minus-40 degree temperatures, sleeping in tents in inhospitable weather conditions and climbing over harsh terrain, snow and ice.
Prior to the Everest expedition the team will also be attempting the sixth highest mountain in the world, Cho Oyu in September 2009. This is an 8-week trek, during which the Team will have to use supplementary oxygen.
The Challenge8000 team is supporting the Society of Maltese Asthmatics and the Stop the Dust! campaign in raising awareness on the importance of clean air. MaltaToday will be supporting the Challenge8000 team.
For further details about Challenge8000 one may contact press@challenge8000.net or call on 99236238 or 79261562.

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