Mount Everest is still regarded as one of the ultimate tests of human strength and endurance. Located at 8 848 metres above sea level (29 028 feet) it towers above all the other mountains on earth.

see more pictures in the Everest photo album

Mount Everest needs no introduction to mountaineers or the world at large and to this day is still regarded as one of the ultimate tests of human strength and endurance. Located at 8 848 metres above sea level (29 028 feet) it towers above all the other mountains on earth.

Sigamartha, as it is known to the Nepalese, was first climbed by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953 and to this day attracts climbers from around the world.

Although there are numerous routes on the mountain, traditionally Everest is climbed via the South West face or the more technical North East ridge.

Chomolungma, as it is known to the Tibetans, will be attempted by Ronnie Muhl during the climbing season of 2006 which stretches between the first week of April and the first week of June. He will be tackling the mountain from the north and you can follow the expeditions progress on a daily basis by visiting this site.

08 06 2006
Cape Town

As I make every effort to re-integrate myself back into normal life and the business environment, I become increasingly aware of the incredible support that I received from all of you. The responses that I have received from across the globe have been nothing short of "mind-blowing" and I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart.

Being high on the slopes of Mt. Everest has changed my life forever and predominantly because I was provided with the courage and the wisdom to make the wisest decision of my life. As my climbing partner David Lien so articulately says "mountaineering should be, and is, about much more than reaching the tops of mountains. It's about personal and spiritual growth, about testing limits. It's about experiencing the wild and natural world, and living life fully. Climbing and trekking, exploring and travelling - experiencing the world in general - all serve to enlarge our perspective on life and learning." And what a learning experience it has been. He goes on to once again express my thoughts and feelings in a most profound way. "Climbing and mountaineering are, at their best, metaphors for life - examples of how we can all achieve our goals and make a difference for the better: take small, steady steps, always moving upward and onward. The goal, once you've set it, is always there in front of you, slowly coming into focus with each additional step. Even if you don't reach the top, just by aiming high you're bound to run into good things along the way. The road less travelled, albeit longer and more difficult, is also the most rewarding. Like the ancient Chinese proverb says, "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

And so I begin a new journey of integration, as I make sure to place each foot firmly on the ground, seeking new goals which will continue to move me onward and upward. Albert Einstein once said "It is the responsibility of every human being to aspire to do something worthwhile, to make this world a better place than the one he (or she) found."

May we all strive to do this.

Warmest Regards

Ronnie

29 05 2006
Kathmandu

On Thursday the 18th of May, 13 of us left advanced base camp, with 2 Russian guides and 9 high altitude sherpas for our final push to the summit. The weather window was due to last at least another 5 days and we were all excited that we had finally reached this point in the expedition.

We cautiously made our way up the mountain to our high camp, situated at 8 300m. Camp 3 is precariously position on a series of rocks known as the yellow band and the steepness of the terrain takes your breath away. This is not a place where you stroll around and if you do need to move from one tent to another, you make sure that you are wearing your crampons and that you clip in to the safety rope. By now our team had reduced to 9 climbers, as 4 had turned back due to exhaustion and the severity of the climb.

Sunday the 21st of May was our summit day and it turned out to be one of those epic days. We left camp 3 at midnight and climbed up onto the north east ridge at 8 600m. We moved along the ridge, climbed the first step and then we reached the notorious second step. It was just light enough to see and it was here that I realised that I was going particularly slowly. I could not understand why I was struggling so much, as I had been strong up to camp 3.

On checking my oxygen system, I saw that the front valve of my mask had broken and was no longer in place, which meant that I was only getting about half of the supply that I should have been breathing, with the rest of the supply escaping out of the front of the mast. I was devastated, as I was loosing valuable time which cannot be recovered on Everest. The guide who was carrying a spare mask was ahead of me and out of earshot.

In desperation I climbed on and ascended the second step, which is located just under 8 700m. I my horror I could then see how the weather was changing around the summit pyramid. Some of my fellow climbers were already descending. Some of them had reached the summit and others were turning around with only 100m to go. The wind had picked up dramatically and the only sensible thing to do was to be getting off the mountain as soon as possible.

I was less than 150 vertical metres from the summit, but unfortunately I was not climbing them today. Deciding to turn around at this point was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make, but it was undoubtedly the wisest one I have ever made. I would have died if I had continued, but now I am more alive than I have ever been. There is something profound and exhilarating about being awaked to your own mortality. There is something liberating about going to the edge.

The descent was long and arduous and with gale force winds blowing at the 8 300m camp, we were forced down to 7 700m. Unfortunately one of our climbing partners pushed too hard this day and he died from exhaustion and exposure the following morning. May his soul rest in peace.

By the time we arrived safely in advanced base camp, 6 of the 13 who had set off for the summit were successful. Congratulations to all of them, but strangely enough, no one was jumping with joy, as everyone was completely exhausted, having been beaten and battered by Chomolungma. We were also distraught, as we listened to the drama unfold about our other team which were now high on the mountain.

As a climber, you step onto the slopes of Mt. Everest on her terms, not yours. She decides who will succeed, when they will succeed and how. You are never a conqueror and She always reigns supreme.

I have been asked many times whether I will return. The lure of Mt. Everest is very powerful indeed and having stood high on her slopes, I have heard her call echoing down that steep face. When I listen to the still small voice within, the response I hear is that I will return, but right now I want to return to my family and to all those wonderful friends that have been so supportive over the last 2 months. Thank you and may God bless you.

Best wishes from Kathmandu

Ronnie

(This newsletter was faxed through to the office and transcribed by Antoinette)

21-05-2006
Everest 8 700m

Unfortunately Ronnie Muhl did not reach the summit of Mt. Everest on Sunday the 21st. He climbed just above the 2nd step (just under 8 700m) when the weather changed and due to the lateness of the day it was sensible to turn and descend.

It was a hectic day on the mountain with us loosing one of our members at 7 700m.

A full newsletter will be sent out shortly.

Warmest Regards

Ronnie

Ronnie Muhl is currently on the north side of Mt. Everest attempting to become the 10th South African to reach the summit. You can contact him on (your international outgoing code) + 8816 315 826 88. For South Africa this code is 09.

Ronnie is interviewed by Nic Marais of the KFM Breakfast Show (94.5) daily until the Summit Bid. You can also go to www.7summits-club.com for updates on the progress made to date.

18-05-2006
Greetings from advanced base camp

The first team from our group to attempt the summit has now arrived here in advance base camp and it will appear as though we have a 5 day weather window. The weather is beautiful and it is all systems go for the summit.

We climb the fixed lines onto the North Col today, spend the night and then climb up to camp 2 at 7 700m tomorrow. We'll spend the night there and then move to camp 3 at 8 300m on Saturday.

All being well we will attempt the summit on Sunday.

Everyone is excited and anxious at the same time as the big day looms. As we pack equipment it is being checked and re-checked as it is virtually impossible to correct for mistakes higher up. We have received oxygen masks and regulators and will start using oxygen above the North Col to stay warm and be efficient.

My personal feelings are that I know that I will loose my appetite above the North Col and of course breathing becomes difficult and by the time that summit day arrives most of us will be feeling pretty wasted. That will be the time to call on all our inner strength.

Warmest regards from advance base camp.

Ronnie

(This newsletter was phoned through to the office via voicemail and transcribed by Antoinette)
The above photo is from the Sight On Everest website.

Ronnie Muhl is currently on the north side of Mt. Everest attempting to become the 10th South African to reach the summit. You can contact him on (your international outgoing code) + 8816 315 826 88. For South Africa this code is 09.

Ronnie is interviewed by Nic Marais of the KFM Breakfast Show (94.5) every Wednesday morning just after 7am for weekly updates. You can also go to www.7summits-club.com for updates on the progress made to date.

15-05-2006
Greetings from base camp

A group of us have just returned to base camp from a very pleasant break in the little village of Shigar, situated at 4 200m. We enjoyed some luxury not afforded in base camp, we slept in a bed, used a toilet and enjoyed a hot bath for the first time in weeks and are now refreshed and rejuvenated.

Our summit bid begins tomorrow providing the weather holds out. A large amount of snow has fallen on the upper regions of the mountain but that should not prevent us from moving up. Our camps at 7 700m and 8 300m have been fully established and equipped with sleeping bags, dome tents, fuel, food and oxygen. All we need to do is get there.

Stay tuned for more regular updates the higher we go.

Warmest Regards

Ronnie


Ronnie Muhl is currently on the north side of Mt. Everest attempting to become the 10th South African to reach the summit. You can contact him on (your international outgoing code) + 8816 315 826 88. For South Africa this code is 09.

Ronnie is interviewed by Nic Marais of the KFM Breakfast Show (94.5) every Wednesday morning just after 7am for weekly updates. You can also go to www.7summits-club.com for updates on the progress made to date.

09-05-2006
Greetings from the North Col ( 7050m) of Everest

I'm lying in my tent which is precariously positioned on the North Col. As I gaze at my watch I see that it is 3:30 pm and I am absolutely exhausted. I've been lying here for almost an hour having just climbed above the North Col with Bawa Tenzing sherpa to about 7 500m, fours days ago we were at 5 200m. I am beginning to feel the workload. I have 1 350 metres to climb before reaching the summit of Everest but those metres will be climbed with oxygen. I am absolutely exhausted and in desperate need of a rest. Fortunately we descend the fixed lines tomorrow to make our way to base camp for some well deserved time off. Our acclimatisation is almost complete.
The next time we head in this direction it will be with the summit in mind.

A number of our climbers descended today because of sore throats, terrible coughs and overall fatigue. I'm hanging in to spend one more night above 7 000 metres. The higher I go the more challenging and demanding I realise this mountain becomes. It is very tough indeed. By the time I arrive in Base Camp I would not have washed, changed any clothing or seen my face in a mirror for 6 days. So you can imagine how sort after base camp is. Brushing my teeth every now and again reminds me of the freshness that all of you enjoy on a daily basis.

Namaste from the North Col

Ronnie

(This newsletter was phoned through to the office via voicemail and transcribed by Antoinette)

Ronnie Muhl is currently on the north side of Mt. Everest attempting to become the 10th South African to reach the summit. You can contact him on (your international outgoing code) + 8816 315 826 88. For South Africa this code is 09.

Ronnie is interviewed by Nic Marais of the KFM Breakfast Show (94.5) every Wednesday morning just after 7am for weekly updates. You can also go to www.7summits-club.com for updates on the progress made to date.

03-05-2006
Greetings from Everest Base Camp.

Since my last communication a lot has happened on this Everest expedition. On Wednesday last week 3 of us walked down to the Rombuk Monastery and rather unexpectedly witnessed a ceremony which was taking place in the monastery. I stood in awe as I listened to the chants being delivered to the sound of drums and cymbals of the Tibetan Horns. I have waited many years to see this and it was amazing and a privilege to experience this occasion. The following day a group of us moved up to the Intermediate Camp and the day after moved up to Advanced Base Camp. We had a rest day and then the Puja Ceremony was held. One of the Lama's had come up from the Rombuk Monastery to bless all our climbing gear and ourselves. Before we all began to move higher up the mountains. The sherpa's will not move out of Advanced Base Camp until the religious service has taken place. This took about an hour and once again I though this was incredible.

Soon after I had the opportunity of choosing my personal high altitude sherpa. How does one do this when so much can depend on him on the upper reaches of the mountain. I used my intuition in this process and choose Bawa Tenzing sherpa, based on his presence, the look in his eyes and the smile on his face. He has been on the summit twice and he is a very capable mountaineer.

Straight after the Puja Ceremony, a group of us prepared to ascend the North Col which is a deep snow and ice wall of about 500m and which can only be climbed by using the fixed ropes and jumar, which is a mechanical device which assists with climbing the ropes. The climb from Advanced Base Camp took 5 hours in total, we took 4 hours on the ropes. Some sections were 80º steep. We spent the night at the North Col (7 050m). The serious climbing has now begun.

We are now in Base Camp for 4 days rest before we move back up onto the North Col and then hopefully a bit higher to 7 700m before retreating for our final big rest before our summit bid.

Namaste

Ronnie

Ronnie Muhl is currently on the north side of Mt. Everest attempting to become the 10th South African to reach the summit. You can contact him on (your international outgoing code) + 8816 315 826 88. For South Africa this code is 09.

Ronnie is interviewed by Nic Marais of the KFM Breakfast Show (94.5) every Wednesday morning just after 7am for weekly updates. You can also go to www.7summits-club.com for updates on the progress made to date.

24-04-2006
Greetings from intermediate basecamp

Most of the team have now made a push from base camp to advanced base camp situated at 6 400m and are now moving back down to base camp for 3 to 4 days well deserved rest.

Some have struggled to acclimatise and others are moving very slowly in this rarefied air. Besides having hurt my back by stepping into a snow covered hole. I am acclimatising well. I have not had a headache and my breathing is controlled.

The views of Everest have been outstanding with clear skies, the temperatures have plummeted at night to -23ºC. A few team members have already left the expedition due to ill-health. This serves as a constant reminder of the hazards associated with high altitude mountaineering and as I gaze up a jet stream plume cloud is blowing off Everest. I send greetings to all of you following this expedition.

Warmest Regards

Ronnie

Ronnie Muhl is currently on the north side of Mt. Everest attempting to become the 10th South African to reach the summit. You can contact him on (your international outgoing code) + 8816 315 826 88. For South Africa this code is 09.

Ronnie is interviewed by Nic Marais of the KFM Breakfast Show (94.5) every Wednesday morning just after 7am for weekly updates. You can also go to www.7summits.com for updates on the progress made to date.

17-04-2006
Greetings from Tibet

We left Kathmandu last Thursday and have been travelling for the last 5 days on our way to Base Camp. We are now in Tibet in a little village called Xegar. We leave for Base Camp this morning, the drive up onto the Tibetan Plateau, has been fantastic with magnificent views of Everest and the other 8 000m peaks. We will be in touch with you again when we reach Base Camp with more details about what happened in the last week. We have been without email for the last 5 days.

Best Wishes

Ronnie

Ronnie Muhl is currently on the north side of Mt. Everest attempting to become the 10th South African to reach the summit. You can contact him on (your international outgoing code) + 8816 315 826 88. For South Africa this code is 09.

Ronnie is interviewed by Nic Marais of the KFM Breakfast Show (94.5) every Wednesday morning just after 7am for weekly updates. You can also go to www.7summits.com for updates on the progress made to date.

Ronnie Muhl is currently on the north side of Mt. Everest attempting to become the 10th South African to reach the summit. You can contact him on (your international outgoing code) + 8816 315 826 88. For South Africa this code is 09

10-04-2006
Namaste From Nepal

Being seated on the left hand side of the plane was a real treat as we flew in to Kathmandu, as I saw the magnificent Himalayas. These massive snow-capped monoliths were nothing short of breath taking, with Everest standing proud above all of them. To think that I could be standing on her summit in 6 weeks time was mind-blowing to say the least.

I arrived in Kathmandu to a 4 day strike and there have been curfews these last 2 days. The streets of this city are usually bustling with people, but now there are very few Nepalese around. The cell phone network has been switched off and there is upheaval and political chaos amongst the 7 political parties and the Maoists.

My fellow climbing partners have all started arriving and they all bring their own unique story. Lorenzo from Italy spent the night at 8 600m last year and survived without reaching the summit. He is back to try again. Harry from Holland summited last year and he is back to assist Thomas from Germany who has major eye problems and there is every possibility that he will loose his eyesight completely above the North Col. It is reported that a sherpa from another expedition has already died on the North Col (7 030m) and one of our lead sherpas is sick in basecamp ... ... and so the story begins to unfold.

With the flicker of the prayer flags in the wind, I send you best wishes from a troubled Kathmandu.

Warmest Regards

Ronnie

Ronnie Muhl is currently on the north side of Mt. Everest attempting to become the 10th South African to reach the summit. You can contact him on (your international outgoing code) + 8816 315 826 88. For South Africa this code is 09

05-04-2006

On Wednesday the 5th of April I fly to Kathmandu to begin my journey onto the northern slopes of Mt. Everest. I hope to become the 10th South African to stand on the summit of Chomolungma - the "Mother of the Universe" or "Mother Goddess" as it is known to the Tibetans.

My personal passion for climbing mountains began when I was caught in a snow blizzard high in the Drakensberg mountains as a 15 year old and was forced to bivouac in the Injasuti Cave. With friends around me struggling to fight off frostbite and others taking enormous strain with the cold, something powerfully profound awakened in me. As I left the mountains at the end of that ordeal, I knew that I wanted more of that kind of moving experience. There was a deep self-discovery that took place in me that I knew I needed more of. The mountains had revealed their awesome power which I knew I could embrace and inculcate into my own life. The sheer magnitude, space and solitude challenged me beyond my imagination and I felt consumed by something far greater than I could ever comprehend. To this day I continue to strive for this awakening.

My journey to Everest really began in 1979 when I first decided that I wanted to climb this awesome mountain and it has taken this long to finally reach this point. The actual planning commenced three years ago and the moment has finally arrived for me to head for the Himalayas.

I am part of an international team of climbers who will be climbing the north east ridge and the leader is a Russian by the name of Alexander Abramov.

If you are interested in following the progress of the expedition, then watch this space. My office will be sending out newsletters every few days to keep you up to date with what is happening on the mountain. If you would like to communicate directly with me you can call my satellite phone number which is 8816 315 826 88. Remember to dial the international outgoing code of your country before dialling the above number. In South Africa this code is 09. This phone is also able to receive text messages, if that is your preferred method of communication. Stay tuned !!

Warmest Regards

Ronnie