May 22, 2003
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Miura Expedition Hits the World Records of Scaling Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest)
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Mr. Yuichiro Miura (70), internationally well known as "the man who skied down Sagarmatha", and his son Mr. Gota Miura (33), the Japanese Free Style Ski Olympian for Lillehammer ('90) and Nagano ('94) Winter Games and Mr. Noriyuki Muraguchi (46), alpine photographer, have successfully scaled the world's highest summit Sagarmatha (8,848m) on May 22 at 12:30 pm (Nepal time). He is not only the oldest man to reach the top, but with Gota, is a member of the first successful father and son duo to climb the Sagarmatha. Mr. Muraguchi, on the other hand, marked the highest number of conquering Sagarmatha as a Japanese national (3 times: 1998, 2000 and 2003).
There are more than 40 expeditions from around the world that are heading for the summit, celebrating the Golden Jubilee Celebration commemorating the 50th anniversary of the first ascent by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay on May 29, 1953, and today was the first day for climbers to reach the summit from South Col in this season.
Although the challenge for the summit began on May 11th, the expedition was intervened by gusts of wind blowing more than 30 meters per second, forcing the team to remain at Camp 2 (6500m) for 5 days. Although the attempt to the summit resumed on the 17th, the team was again stopped by strong winds and heavy fog, coercing them to stay at Camp 4 (7900m) for 2 days, and at Camp 5 (8400m) for another 2 days. After spending 4 days at super high altitude, the Miura team's incredible endurance had won over the capricious Sagarmatha weather, and the summit was conquered on a fabulous condition.
Comment of Mr. Yuichiro Miura:
"Ever since I skied down the Everest 33 years ago, I promised to myself that I would one day stand at the summit of Mt. Everest. During these years, I have skied down the World's Seven Summits, and at the age of 70, I was finally able to stand on the summit of the world after training for 5 years, moreover was able to make the world record of being the oldest man to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. I learned that humans can achieve any dream as long as they continue to challenge and not give up. This time challenge is also very special for me and am very happy, as I was able to climb with my second son Gota, Mr. Noriyuki Muraguchi the best climber and the best alpine photographer, and the best team of Sherpas."
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