Wishing good luck to the
EVEREST TEAM
Later this month Greg Linsdell, John Taylor and Nick Farr,
the Victoria Police Everest Team, leave for Nepal to attempt
to climb the world’s highest mountain, Everest. Making the
journey with them will be a group of 10 supporters. Among
the group making the 10 day walk to Base Camp will be
some family members, Jennifer Adams from the Seven
Network and a television cameraman.
E
verest Base Camp is situated at an altitude of 5,600 metres
and the support group will stay for about half a day before
returning to Lukla and the flight back to Kathmandu, the
Nepalese capital.
Before their supporters leave there will be a small farewell party
that will include a special Buddhist blessing for the safety and
success of the expedition. The climbers will then spend a few days
at Base Camp acclimatising to the altitude before taking on their
arduous climb. The first part of the climb is across the treacherous
ice fall.
If the weather is good, the conditions perfect and everything
goes according to plan the climbers hope to achieve their goal
equipment from Mont and Bolle and we are as well prepared as
we can be.”
Reaching the summit will undoubtedly be an emotional experience and Greg Linsdell says there will be a symbolic ceremony of
some kind but the team’s mindset will very much be on the climb.
Reaching the summit is only half the job…they then have to make
the descent, a climb that can be dangerous.
“Climbers are tired and can lose focus because they’ve been to
opportunity to reach the summit but they have until the end of
the top. The sheer physics mean if you trip going down you could
May. If they haven’t reached the summit by then they will have to
just keep going.”
Melbourne between mid-May and the end of the month.
In final preparations for the assault on Everest, Greg Linsdell
and John Taylor climbed Mt Aconcagua in South America earlier
“We are very optimistic. We are as well positioned as we can
this year. This was to help them acclimatise to the rigours of
hope to be…physically, mentally and administratively,” says Greg.
climbing in the high altitude. The Aconcagua climb took Greg and
“We have as much in our favour as we can hope to have.
JT to 6,964 metres – a massive height but still 1.8 kilometres
“The things we can’t control include the weather, illnesses or if
victoria police association journal, march 2005
there is an accident and we have to help others. We have excellent
around May 5 or 6. There is likely to be only a small window of
leave the mountain. The three climbers expect to be back in
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John Taylor in the ice
Greg Linsdell and John Taylor with the photo of Sophie & Molly
below their ultimate objective – Mt Everest.
Greg and John with Everest summiteer Jon Muir
Everest
Mt Aconcagua
“High altitude has its own set of disciplines that we had to get
used to and this climb achieved that,” explains Greg. “During this
expedition we were able to look after our health and recover from
a hard day. We were also able to establish our tent routines so we
could sleep safely and as well as we can. It’s hard to sleep at altitude.”
As well as helping Greg and JT experience the debilitating
effects of altitude, climbing Aconcagua was an emotional experience. Two of their fellow climbers were raising funds for Sophie
Delazio and Molly Wood, two toddlers seriously injured when a
car ploughed into their childcare centre in Sydney in 2003.
Kevin and David Wallace have raised $25,000 for the girls so far
and wanted to take their photo to the summit. They were unable
to make the final climb so Greg and John took the banner to the
top. Greg and John were humbled by the example set by the
Wallace team and honoured to be able to help out.
You can’t get away from the phone – even on the summit
The climb to the top of South American’s highest peak was the
highest climb for JT. Greg has previously climbed to 8,008 metres
when he and good friend Paul Carr climbed Shishapangma in
Tibet 10 years ago.
There will be a welcome home party, of course. But the boys
don’t want their supporters in Victoria to forget about them or the
A Buddhist Blessing
for the climbers
ducting a raffle on behalf of Make-a-Wish Foundation. Prizes
“Great Compassionate Buddha!
include a home theatre package valued at $15,000 and a kitchen
Before you are many wise, sincere and courageous people,
package valued at $7,000. All proceeds go directly to the
Who are undertaking a journey of adventure.
Foundation to grant the cherished wishes of children with life-
Through this experience they shall augment their knowledge,
threatening illnesses. The prizes have been proudly organised by
build their inner strength and cultivate good relationships.
Clive Peeters.
If you can help this worthwhile cause please contact Mandy
Finegan on 9566 9529 or [email protected] for
tickets.
Wish the team good luck and help them raise $200,000 for
the Make-a-Wish Foundation. March 17 from 5pm at Heat,
Crown Complex. Entry – $10.00 donation. Contact Anthony 0424
336 166/Col 0403 313 858/Phil 0400 877 810
Great Compassionate Buddha!
They may be faced with challenges and dangers.
Please let them be strong and be out of harm’s way,
So that they may depart home joyfully and
Return home safely and peacefully …”
victoria police association journal, march 2005
Make-a-Wish Foundation, their chosen charity. The team is con-
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