The Guides
Russell Brice (expedition leader). Owner of Himalayan Experience and Chamonix Experience guide services. A New Zealander living in Chamonix, France, Russell is a U.I.A.G.M. certified guide, with over 25 years of professional experience. Highlights include 9 seasons on Everest, twice to the top via the North Ridge. Speed records on the SW Ridge of Ama Dablam and the Tichy route on Cho Oyo. He has participated in over 35 Himalayan expeditions. Russell is a founding member of IGO8000, a professional organization which is working to improve the quality of commercial expeditions to the world's highest peaks. While not guiding, he devotes himself to organizing the logistics of extreme balloon trips (ballooning over Everest, the circumnavigation of the globe, and a trip to the stratosphere).

Andy Lapkass ( Breckenridge, Colorado,USA). Andy has been climbing in the Himalaya since 1984, with over 27 expeditions in Pakistan, Tibet and Nepal. He has summited Everest twice, both via the South Col (1990 & 1999). Other summits include: Lhotse, Nuptse, Cho Oyo, Ama Dablam & Pumori. He has 15 years of experience as a guide. Andy is also a physician's assistant, providing valuable medical training to the team.

Chris Warner (Ellicott City, Maryland, USA). Owner of Earth Treks' Climbing Center and an A.M.G.A. certified Alpine Guide. Chris has guided over 60 international expeditions. Highlights include new routes on Ama Dablam and Shivling and ascents of Cho Oyo and over one hundred 6,000 meter peaks.

Mark Whetu (Queenstown, New Zealand). Owner of Mountain Works, a guide service and gear shop on the South Island. Mark has climbed over two dozen peaks in the Himalaya. He has twice summited Everest via the North Ridge. Other highlights include: Cho Oyo, Shishapangma (2x), and Island Peak (5x). Mark is a very accomplished high altitude cinematographer and will be filming the expedition.


The Climbers
Jean Clemenson (Argentiere, France). Jean is a certified U.I.A.G.M. guide who has been climbing in the Alps for over 50 years. He has put up new routes close to home and has been to the Himalayas more than 25 times. He has climbed Cho Oyo, Ama Dablam (3x), Pumori, Shishapangma, and many others. Jean is 62 years old and hopes to be the oldest to reach the summit. He has the experience to pull it off: after all, this will be his fifth expedition to Everest.

Daniel Surchat (Rome, Italy). Daniel, 41, is a mathematician. He has been on expeditions to Cho Oyo where he reached 7,800 meters. In the Alps he has climbed such classics as the North Face of Les Courtes, Ag. Argentiere, Mt. Blanc du Tacul and many others.

Tony Kelly (Surrey, England). Tony turns 45 on this expedition. By day he is an engineer but on his holidays he has journeyed to all corners of the world. He has been to 7,400 meters on Cho Oyo. In the Alps he has climbed extensively in the Chamonix region: the Viper, winter traverse of the Briethorn, etc.

Kin Man Chung (Kowloon, Hong Kong). Chung, 47, owns a handful of climbing shops in Hong Kong. He was the chief instructor of the Hong Kong Mountaineering Training Center and chairman of the Hong Kong Mountaineering Union. In the Himalaya he has been on expeditions to Mustagh Ata, Shishapangma, Changtse, Everest (2x). Further afield he has climbed Aconcagua, Elbrus, Vinson, Carstens Pyramid, McKinley and Kilimanjaro. Hopefully this year he will be able to conclude his seven summits quest with a successful climb of Everest.

Ivan Laredo-Vidal (Ecatepec, Mexico). Ivan, 32, has climbed extensively in the Himalaya. He has been on expeditions to Makalu, Lhotse, Broad Peak (summited), Cho Oyo (summited) and Everest. Last year he gave up his summit bid to allow his wife to reach the summit. This will be his second attempt on the North Ridge of Everest.

Kieron MacKenzie (Saline, United Kingdom). Kieron, 40, is a managing director for Packard Bell. His climbing bio includes Island Peak (5x), Ama Dablam, Mt. McKinley, Mt. Kenya, Kilimanjaro, and Mt. Blanc.

Graham Hoyland (Chapel-en-le-Frith, England). Graham, 42, is a television director. He has been to Everest 3x and has summited via the South Col in 1993. He has also climbed Himalchuli, during his 12 trips to the Himalaya. Graham has also summited Mt. McKinley.

In addition to those listed above, there are 5 folks trekking with us to base camp. Our team of Sherpas is second to none. Most of these guys have climbed to the summit of Everest 2 or 3 times. It is there power and compassion that fuels our expeditions success.