Best friends from Springs aim to summit Everest Base Camp together
Two Grade 11 learners from Springs Boys’ High School have been chosen to join the expedition to Everest Base Camp in November this year.
There was initially one spot but the pair of Daniel Doller and Benjamin Maxwell, 16 years old, who have been friends since they were very young, were interviewed together and they both experienced the same feelings: how do you sell yourself over a best friend who deserves the opportunity as much as you do?
They came to the same realisation: Dr Wayne Matthews, expedition leader, a conservationist and ecologist, and an ex-Springs Boys’ High learner himself had to be persuaded that both of them should be on the trip.
Also read: Six friends aim to climb total height of 22 401m
Matthews was convinced and both learners are now fund-raising to go to Everest Base Camp.
“This is a unique opportunity.
“It is rare to see South African youngsters on Everest.
“The leadership and commitment displayed by the two friends are exactly what we were looking for when we initially started looking for a learner to sponsor,” says Matthews.
Affiliated with the Lawrence Anthony Earth organisation, the expedition raises awareness and sponsorship for rhinos and money donated goes to the rearing of rhino orphans in KwaZulu-Natal.
The pair will be donning rhino suits at events and on the trail to make people more aware of the plight of the rhino due to poaching and savage hunting practices.
Highlights of the trip will be the opportunity to view another culture at close quarters.
The porters, Sherpas, are a proud and incredibly hard-working culture and the friends are looking forward to meeting their porter who is going to be a teenager about their age.
“We carry daypacks of about 5kg each, but our porter will carry both of our big duffel bags of 9kg each and his own bag! That is incredible. He will not even be a big person, but his core strength will be phenomenal,” explains Benjamin.
The boys are due to leave for Katmandu, Nepal on November 5 and will need to write exams early.
Diane Freeman, Principal at Springs Boys’ High school commented, “This is a huge feather in our cap and in the Gauteng East District’s cap that two boys from Springs would be elected for such an amazing experience.
“Crossing the glaciers will be stressful but memorable, I am sure.
“The boys deserve this wonderful opportunity.”
For now, the learners, who have no climbing experience, will start training in preparation for the trip.
“We have to do exercises that improve out lung capacity, so we will be swimming and cycling a lot more.
“In October, we will start learning some rope skills,” says Doller.
The pair will be documenting their journey in Nepal online for The Addie.
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