Gillian Lee Mad Mountaineer

Mad Mountaineer             

An Australian mountaineer called Gillian Lee was trying to climb to the summit of Mount Everest in May 2019,without an oxygen tank.To avoid the traffic jam on the Nepal side he took the Tibet route on the North side.

As Gil was approaching 7600 m he was constantly coughing and his lips were blue.But he refused to turn back.Because of the lack of oxygen he passed out. The Sherpa dragged him down to his tent to try to warm him up by putting him in his sleeping bag with hot water bottles. They also gave him oxygen.  If he was up there for another 10 to 15 minutes he would have been done for. So they decided to strap him to a sleeping mat to make a makeshift sled .

6000 up the maunga the Sherpas stumbled into a Chinese rope fixing team. The Chinese team helped Gil get down the mountain until there was no more snow. They called a yak man and strapped him to the animal,a 22 kilometer ride that took 6 hours. Gil recalls that it was the most uncomfortable ride he has ever taken in his whole life time. Finally they arrived at base camp. The sherpas put him on a helicopter for a 20 minute ride to Kathmandu Hospital.

When he arrived at the hospital Gils Mum was waiting for her selfish son. She was furious at him! I wonder if he is going to attempt to climb Mount Everest without an oxygen tank again? 

By Harlen