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“A good climber possesses the courage to turn back - even when the summit is in reach. He never forgets that the ascent, climbing up, is only half the trip. You have to get down, too, and most casualties in the mountains happen during the descent. The greatness of a climber is not measured by his or her ability to reach the summit on the first attempt. What matters most is your attitude, your will not to give up, to try again.”
Goran Kropp
My name is Grant Rawlinson (a lot of people call me ‘Axe’). I am a 37-year-old kiwi living in Singapore where I have been based for 13 years.
In April 2011 I made an attempt to climb Mt Everest – the highest mountain in the world via the North Ridge (which is located in Tibet). I turned around at 8350m – 500m below the summit. It was an epic expedition which saw me battling High Altitude Pulmonary Edema(H.A.P.E), tooth absesses, notoriously horrific winds which the North side of Everest is infamous for, and assisting my frost bitten team mate safely down the mountain. You can read more about Everest 2011 – Climbing for Humaneity.
In 2012 I will be back on Everest’s North Ridge. Those people who know me well, understand from my character why I want to get back and attempt this huge challenge again. I stare at the photo of the North Ridge of Everest every day. My eyes are always drawn to the point high up in the deathzone where I turned back in 2011. The North Ridge still intimidates me – but I have to return. To me it is a very logical decision. I learnt so much in 2011 on Everest. I got to know the route, how my body reacts at extreme altitude, about certain parts of my gear systems which need improving and how to tweak my training regime to better suit the physical requirements of Everest’s North Ridge. I will be going back to Everest with more experience, better preparation, more suitable equipment and knowing exactly what mental and physical strength I will need to get me to the summit and back down safely.
My Everest 2012 climb will be raising money for the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust.. On February 24th 2012, my elder sister Debra was in a horrific car accident in a remote location. The Taranaki Rescue Helicopter helped to save her life by flying her to hospital (see above photo). Check the Community page to learn more about Debra’s accident and make an online donation.
Watch this amazing 3D fly-though of the climbing route on up the North Ridge of Everest – in 9 minutes experience what it takes 63 days on the mountain to achieve!
