Saturday, March 17, 2012

Prince Harry ‘to climb Everest’

LONDON: Prince Harry is all set to realise his long-held ambition of conquering Mt Everest – the highest peak of the world -- this year.

The 27-year-old Prince had dropped a broad hint about scaling the world’s highest mountain in May this year at the end of his trek to the North Pole last year to raise money for ‘Walking With the Wounded’, a charity for wounded soldiers.

Harry had, in fact, indicated that he wanted to join the group of wounded servicemen on their next challenge in May, which will see them climbing Mount Everest with a peak at 29,029 ft above sea level, said the reports.
According to a report in The Telegraph, the prince struck up a quick rapport with the group of wounded servicemen that he joined for four days last April on their successful trip to the North Pole.
“I think for me, personally, I’m hugely proud to be a British soldier, to walk alongside these guys,”  the report quoted him as saying. “What these guys have done – and what they will continue to do throughout their lives – is just truly inspirational.” He assured them, too, he would see them on their next challenge.
However, Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on whether it would be possible for Harry to fit the climb into his schedule. “It will all depend on his Army commitments”, his spokesman said.

There has been no comment, either, from the charity.
The weather and a range of other factors mean that the Spring – any time between March and May – is reckoned to be the best time to climb Everest. (Source: Agencies)