Visit Everest, online

Zoomer | January 1st, 2006

Let’s face it: most of us won’t ever make it to the top. But in what may be the next best thing to being there, CANOE has launched a special section on its website that will let you follow the progress of the Canadian Everest team.

The section will include a trip diary from expedition leader Ben Webster, live Internet chats with the climbers, and video and photo galleries that follow them on their way up the 8,850 metre mountain that has been the site of heroism and tragedy.

The all-Canadian climbing team is led by Ben Webster, 36, of Toronto. Benoit Robitaille, Francois Bedard and Claude Berube, all of Quebec, will be joining Webster for the final, dangerous assault on Everest. A number of corporate sponsors, many from the “dot.com” and high-tech world, are contributing to make the climb possible.

Named for the British surveyor of India, Everest was first conquered by Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953. Later feats include the no-oxygen climb of Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler in 1978, who reached the top via the south-east ridge.