Participants in the 2010 Shared Summits Makalu Expedition arrived in Nepal on Wednesday, their sights set on the world’s fifth-tallest peak. The ambitious climb sponsored by Global Rescue is ground-breaking, as the group will be the first to attempt a route along Makalu’s South Face.
Overall, this marks the tenth time that an American team has attempted a new route on an 8,000 meter (24,000 foot) peak. Only 13 Americans before this group have successfully conquered Makalu, the “Great Black.”
Accompanying climbers Chris Warner and Marty Schmidt is a team of filmmakers who are making a documentary on the historic ascent. Warner is the President of Earth Treks, Inc, has been on more than 160 international mountaineering expeditions, and is a motivational speaker for corporate executives on the topic of leadership. Marty Schmidt has spent years as a guide on Mt. Everest and has set speed records on both Cho Oyu and Aconcagua.
Global Rescue regularly rescues injured climbers from the world’s tallest peaks. The Company has recently performed rescue and recovery mission on Aconcagua, Dhauligiri, Broad Peak, Cho Oyu, and Everest.