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Sherpa Sets New Everest Record
Aired May 26, 2003 - 14:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Fifty years after Sir Edmund Hillary first conquered Mount Everest climbers are still setting records. Today an experienced sherpa raced from a base camp at just over 17,000 feet to the top of the world's highest peak in a mere 10 hours and 56 minutes. For comparison, it takes most expert climbers four days to cover that distance.
That's just one record being set during ongoing celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary's conquest of Mount Everest. Sir Hillary is in Kathmandu, Nepal with about 100 other people who have scaled the world's highest peak since 1953.
And CNN's New Delhi bureau chief, Satinder Bindra, is joining us via video phone.
Quite a celebration, Satinder.
SATINDER BINDRA, CNN NEW DELHI BUREAU CHIEF: That's right, Kyra. In a few hours from now there will be a huge parade right here in the heart of Kathmandu. Of course, every body's excited about new records being set.
Today the first black African climbed Everest. You mentioned the fastest climb to Everest and also today a Nepalese sherpa climbed the highest peak in the world for the 13th time. He set another international record.
I have with me, Kyra, Alan Hinkes. He first went to Everest in 1996. Tell me, Allen, what does it feel like to be on top of the world?
ALAN HINKES, BRITISH MOUNTAINEER: It's a privilege. You certainly feel like you've done something (UNINTELLIGIBLE). You feel humble. It's hard to believe. It's fantastic to (UNINTELLIGIBLE), to be there.
BINDRA: You know, some people are saying that a hundred people have climbed Everest in the past few days. It's just not quite as tough as it used to be. The mountain is -- quote -- "fenced." There's rope, there's pathways leading to the top and instead of climbers, there's tourists going there. What do you think of that?
HINKES: That's true. That's worn out (ph).
BINDRA: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) HINKES: No, it isn't quite that easy. I think people are being a bit silly there. There are certain things. The mountain hasn't got easier. You can guides to help you. You can still get killed on it. You still might not get to the top if you're not (UNINTELLIGIBLE) prepared.
BINDRA: But still, there are climbers who are complaining about this crass commercialization. They're saying if this goes on, then, as one mountaineer reported to me, the guards won't want them dancing on Everest anymore. What do you make of statements like that?.
HINKES: I think it's rubbish. I mean, it's a mountain there to be climbed and the Nepalese want people to come here to climb Everest. They want people to come here and see Everest. It's a little goldmine for Nepal. This is the matterhorn. (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Obviously, you've got to manage that, the people going there.
(UNINTELLIGIBLE). There's only 1,200 people ever climbed Everest. I mean, not 100 -- there might be no more to climb Everest now until next May. That's the fact of it. It's not 100 every day.
BINDRA: Will you climb again?
HINKES: I doubt I'll ever climb Everest again. (UNINTELLIGIBLE). There are a lot of other mountains to climb in the world, so I'm going to go on to other mountains.
BINDRA: Well, thank you and good luck on all your climbing expeditions.
So, Kyra excitement and exuberance here and of course, 29th is the day to watch for, that will mark the 50th anniversary of the first attempt to Everest.
PHILLIPS: Satinder, I have to ask you. Are you going to attempt to do the climb? You're surrounded by all these professionals.
BINDRA: I've really been thinking about it and if some body can loan me about $60,000 -- that's what it costs to get to the top, that's what it costs to pay the sherpa and get all of the equipment. Or if some body was willing to sponsor me, I'm willing to give it a crack as well.
PHILLIPS: All right. Satinder Bindra. All right. I hear that in the background. We'll work on that. We'll work on that sponsorship. Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired May 26, 2003 - 14:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Fifty years after Sir Edmund Hillary first conquered Mount Everest climbers are still setting records. Today an experienced sherpa raced from a base camp at just over 17,000 feet to the top of the world's highest peak in a mere 10 hours and 56 minutes. For comparison, it takes most expert climbers four days to cover that distance.
That's just one record being set during ongoing celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary's conquest of Mount Everest. Sir Hillary is in Kathmandu, Nepal with about 100 other people who have scaled the world's highest peak since 1953.
And CNN's New Delhi bureau chief, Satinder Bindra, is joining us via video phone.
Quite a celebration, Satinder.
SATINDER BINDRA, CNN NEW DELHI BUREAU CHIEF: That's right, Kyra. In a few hours from now there will be a huge parade right here in the heart of Kathmandu. Of course, every body's excited about new records being set.
Today the first black African climbed Everest. You mentioned the fastest climb to Everest and also today a Nepalese sherpa climbed the highest peak in the world for the 13th time. He set another international record.
I have with me, Kyra, Alan Hinkes. He first went to Everest in 1996. Tell me, Allen, what does it feel like to be on top of the world?
ALAN HINKES, BRITISH MOUNTAINEER: It's a privilege. You certainly feel like you've done something (UNINTELLIGIBLE). You feel humble. It's hard to believe. It's fantastic to (UNINTELLIGIBLE), to be there.
BINDRA: You know, some people are saying that a hundred people have climbed Everest in the past few days. It's just not quite as tough as it used to be. The mountain is -- quote -- "fenced." There's rope, there's pathways leading to the top and instead of climbers, there's tourists going there. What do you think of that?
HINKES: That's true. That's worn out (ph).
BINDRA: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) HINKES: No, it isn't quite that easy. I think people are being a bit silly there. There are certain things. The mountain hasn't got easier. You can guides to help you. You can still get killed on it. You still might not get to the top if you're not (UNINTELLIGIBLE) prepared.
BINDRA: But still, there are climbers who are complaining about this crass commercialization. They're saying if this goes on, then, as one mountaineer reported to me, the guards won't want them dancing on Everest anymore. What do you make of statements like that?.
HINKES: I think it's rubbish. I mean, it's a mountain there to be climbed and the Nepalese want people to come here to climb Everest. They want people to come here and see Everest. It's a little goldmine for Nepal. This is the matterhorn. (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Obviously, you've got to manage that, the people going there.
(UNINTELLIGIBLE). There's only 1,200 people ever climbed Everest. I mean, not 100 -- there might be no more to climb Everest now until next May. That's the fact of it. It's not 100 every day.
BINDRA: Will you climb again?
HINKES: I doubt I'll ever climb Everest again. (UNINTELLIGIBLE). There are a lot of other mountains to climb in the world, so I'm going to go on to other mountains.
BINDRA: Well, thank you and good luck on all your climbing expeditions.
So, Kyra excitement and exuberance here and of course, 29th is the day to watch for, that will mark the 50th anniversary of the first attempt to Everest.
PHILLIPS: Satinder, I have to ask you. Are you going to attempt to do the climb? You're surrounded by all these professionals.
BINDRA: I've really been thinking about it and if some body can loan me about $60,000 -- that's what it costs to get to the top, that's what it costs to pay the sherpa and get all of the equipment. Or if some body was willing to sponsor me, I'm willing to give it a crack as well.
PHILLIPS: All right. Satinder Bindra. All right. I hear that in the background. We'll work on that. We'll work on that sponsorship. Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
