Filipinos will once again climb greater feats.
Mountaineers Elaine Jhon “Jeno” Panganiban and Miguel Mapalad are set to make their mark on Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain.
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The historic feat that the two mountaineers will embark on is part of the Philippine 14 Peaks Expedition Team, whose goal is to summit 14 mountain peaks around the world. The team’s mission lies in numbers as the mountains they aim to reach must stand at 8,000 meters above sea level, in line with Everest’s 8,849-meter elevation.
It has been 18 years since a Filipino first made their mark on the particular Himalayan mountain when Romi Garduce set down the national flag on Everest’s summit back in 2006. Mt. Everest’s extreme weather conditions and altitude had built a reputation of its own as a ‘treacherous terrain.’ Only a few people have been recorded successful in surmounting Everest and even highly skilled mountaineers are still equally challenged by the conditions and risks posed by its nature.
It is worth noting that Panganiban and Mapalad are equipped for their upcoming journey as they have previously conquered Mount Ama Dablam, located at the eastern Himalayan range, last October of 2024. Dubbed as ‘mountaineer’s mountain,’ Ama Dablam posed technical demands and hazards such as avalanches and falling ice, one that was proudly conquered by the mountaineering duo and their team, who also happened to be the first Filipinos to have climbed the said peak.
Before they start their mission in April, Panganiban and Mapalad gear up for the extremes of Everest. With only three months left, their expedition team have announced that they are accepting financial support and sponsors for this historic feat.
After Mt. Everest, the Philippine 14 Peaks Expedition Team is also looking forward to reaching the peaks of Mt. Lhotse and Mt. Cho Oyu in 2025.
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