Opinion | Your Say
Ali answers reader's questions
Palestinian civil engineer Ali Bushnaq answers some of your questions about his expedition. He is currently at Everest base camp preparing to climb The world's tallest mountain.
- By Felicity Campbell, Web Team
- Published: 23:32 May 3, 2009
Palestinian civil engineer Ali Bushnaq is leaving his "comfortable" day job to climb Everest as part of an international team. The Everest Peace Project will set out to conquer the world's highest and deadliest peak on 20 April.
The team, who raise funds to give children access to resources that benefit their education, aspire to show how easily people from various faiths can live together, work together and depend on each other.
Ali agreed to answer some questions about his climb from Gulf News readers as he prepares to tackle the summit. His answers are below.
You can send messages of support to Ali at this email address: feedback@gulfnews.com.
When you finish this trip are you planning to start another trip?
Saleh Al Breaki, Abu Dhabi
Yes, I am planning to do the highest peak in Europe (Mount Elbrus in the Ural mountains, Russia) in August but for now I am concentrating on this climb.
What are you feeling now?
Saleh Al Breaki, Abu Dhabi
Thanks for asking. I am feeling great and getting slowly acclimatised to the altitude. We are currently at 3,700m and going to 4,500m. We still have good fitness and are doing small hikes on the way. We are all in a great mood as we cannot wait to reach the north side of Everest and camp underneath it.
Do you think that conquering the world's highest peak still has the same prestige that it had in the past?
Brian, Seattle, USA
You have asked a good question and I can tell you that the answer is no - there are so many groups climbing. This year around 200 climbers from the north. The downside is that the rubbish will accumulate and make the mountain look bad. Also there is a lot of technology being used - from satellite communications for weather updates to hi-tech equipment and clothing.
Have you ever watched any films about Everest?
Geoff, Dubai
I have watched most of them - but alone without my family!! Also I have tried to memorise the route from photos, maps and the movies. It helps in a white out to know what is coming in front of you.
I wanted to ask what the climbers usually take for meals after leaving the base camp, is there any special food?
Nabeel Ahmed, Dubai
After the base camp we reach a higher base camp (Advanced Base Camp). We spend a lot of time there. Luckily we have cooks there and they make us Nepalese food such as rice, lentils and vegetables. After ABC we carry our stove and cook for ourselves - mostly light pre-packed meals from special mountain meal suppliers. When we reach the higher altitudes we eat far less due to loss of appetite, so we only eat snacks. I have taken a lot of these from the UAE!!
My second question is how many days in average does it take to reach the summit?
Nabeel Ahmed, Dubai
It takes us one month to get used to the high altitude, then after that we start attempting to climb the summit in mid-May. If we are lucky and we get good weather we can do it in a week to 10 days. We have a month to try to get to the summit depending on the weather window.
Are you going the Nepalese or Tibetan side? If you need any advice about the Tibetan side - which I climbed in 2003 - let me know!
Angharad Irving-Jones, UAE
Thank you for your support. We are now on our way to the north side in Tibet, which is assumed to be more of a challenge and interesting as you have to spend time at higher altitudes than the south side. The fees to climb the north are also cheaper!!
How does your family feel about your attempt?
Safar R. Yousif, Abu Dhabi
My family has been a great help. My wife and kids have been very supportive during the preparation and never asked me 'Why are you going?'. They made me feel better about the climb and are very proud that I am doing this for a good cause. They want me back in one piece for sure. My mother and father who live in Al Ain are worried. My mother is just praying for me in Makkah - where she is now doing her omra - and keeps asking god to give me strength.
You can find out more about the Everest Peace Project by visiting their website: www.everestpeaceproject.org
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