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1 May 2007, 14:39. Everest, all programs »

Bruce Matthews

During my time with the real team, those attempting to summit, I got close enough to some of the members and others remained aloof. That could have been due to the language barrier as many of the Russians had only a scant grasp of English. At meal times, Alex would give instructions in Russian and his wife Lyudmila would translate for the English few.

I never did manage to interview each member. However, my traveling companion back to Kathmandu, Amen, was able to give me enough on each member for me to be able to let you have an insight into these members.

I am sure it will help if you can have a face with each description and I am going to attempt to do this!

The “old fart” and your reporter thus far, Bruce Matthews, a 60 year old with hundreds of marathons under his belt and a recent IronMan finisher (March 2007, four weeks before leaving for Everest!) Not a mountain climber by any stretch, but an adventurer.

And in no particular order, the others!

Armen, my companion back to Kathmandu…had a holiday with his wife and two children in Dubai but when they got back to the airport to return to Russia, he informed his wife he was going to Everest…not a popular chap and the real reason for his departure!! Armen has climbed Aconcagua and now ABC

Israfil, a good friend of Armen, will be the first person from Azerbaijan to summit Everest and will be honored by his country. He has climbed Mt. Fuji and many mountains in Russia including Peak of Communism a 7900 meter peak.

Hannah Shields, a dentist from Derry in Ireland and is your consummate adventurer. I could not do her justice in the space here so will direct you to Google her and learn of her amazing feats. Suffice to say, that she wisely aborted an attempt in 2003 at the South Col after sitting out a storm for three days. She had lost feeling in her arms to the elbow and decided dentistry without hands was not a good look! Hannah looked after me like a mother during my time on the mountain and without her guidance and help, I may have returned in worse wear!!!

Curt, my room mate on the drive into BC, a volunteer fireman from California amongst other things like a full time job, has completed 4 of the 7 Summits and will summit Everest in a couple of weeks. Curt is the most single minded person I know and short of a broken leg, nothing will stop him in his pursuit!!

Sergey the older, a very quiet determined chap whom I never really got to know. He is from the far east of Russia in the Kamchatka region. He is a Snow Tiger, which means he has climbed all of the 7000 plus peaks in Russia. This is his first attempt on Everest.

Sergey the younger,42ish is a deputy officer in his local parliament. He has not climbed many mountains and Everest will be his first!!

Lyudmila, Alex Abramov’s wife and guide is the most patient person on the mountain! She would station herself at the back of the group and patiently walk up and not be intrusive at all! She is our interpreter and an accomplished climber who takes Alex’s clients up to North Col and also guides Aconcagua.

Max 41, is a freelance journalist and has been a journalist for the Russian Red Army. He has limited experience in the mountains but is a prolific photographer. He works for Russia’s number one TV station and is promoting the Olympic bid for Soschi in 2014. Max enjoys his Vodka and seemed able to always produce a bottle at dinner time!

Bill Tyler is known to those of you who have been following the updates from the mountain. Last year Bill succumbed to a severe chest infection at ABC and had to beat a hasty retreat inn order to survive. He has now made North Col and this is as high as he has ever been. He has climbed 4 of the 7 Summits and will summit this year!

Andrei the older, is an accomplished Karate fighter and black belt. He is the chief instructor in his region in Kamchatka. I am not sure of his mountain exploits but he is driven and appeared to be very strong on the mountain to ABC.

Andrei the younger, quiet with limited English is the second youngest in the group being 29. Curt is the baby! He has some climbing experience and should summit!

Dmitri is of Russian. German extraction who now lives and does business in Canada. Dmitri is heading to the North Col but is driven and will be representing me up there and will more than likely go to 7700 before calling it a day and returning home. Dmitri has an exciting backround having had a stint in the French Foreign Legion!!

Lastly, Dirk! A German who has climbed all but Everest and one other which I cannot recall. Strong with a desire to do well but with illusion about this mountain. Dirk has the most unbelievably low pulse rate that is generally under 40 with a peculiarly uneven beat…he has been struggling to get his rate up on the mountain…another certainty as a summiteer!