For Elmo no summit is too high
View(s):Mountaineer Elmo Francis who became the first Sri Lankan to reach the summit of Lobuchi East which stands at 6200 metres returned to the Island after his successful venture. Elmo, who is also the first Sri Lankan to reach the summit of Mera Peak in the Himalayas in 2006 set out this time to reach 7500 metres on the south side of Mount Everest as a prelude to conquering Mt. Everest summit in 2015.
However, due to the unfortunate event where 16 people perished while attempting to climb Mt. Everest, Elmo had to cancel his scheduled climb to the south side of Mt. Everest. Undaunted, he decided to attempt a climb to Advanced Base Camp of Mt. Pumori which stands at 7138 metres.
Avalanche risk thwarted this plan as well but Elmo’s team then proceeded to climb Jangbu peak, a slightly technical peak on the Khumbu glacier to acclimatise in preparation to climb the Khumbu Ice Fall in Lobuchi East. Following acclimatising at Everest Base camp for 10 days Elmo and the team tackled the Khumbu Ice Fall below the west ridge of Mt. Everest without a Sherpa to guide them. He then decided to reach Lobuchi East which stands at 6200 metres.
By this time, all other teams attempting to climb Mt. Everest had already cleared camps. However as Elmo possessed a permit to climb Lhotse at 8501 metres, the fourth highest mountain in the world, his team received permission to stay on longer for acclimatisation.
On May 9, Elmo reached camp 01 of Lobuchi and by 4.00am on the same day, he and the team began their climb to reach the Lobuchi East summit. By 8.42am, Elmo stood on top of Mt. Lobuchi East, holding his head high as the first Sri Lankan to complete that climb.
Expo Freight (EFL), a subsidiary of Expolanka Holdings was the strategic partner for Elmo’s expedition.
Commending Elmo, Hanif Yusoof, Group CEO/Director, Expolanka Holdings said, “Elmo’s approach resonates strongly with our dare to do spirit. Elmo’s perseverance and courage is inspiring and as a truly Sri Lankan company we strive to encourage this spirit not only within our business but also in all our country men and women.”
The climb to Lobuchi East summit is a class 3-4 feat that requires technical gear such as ice axes, crampons and ropes. Thus far three other teams comprising of explorers from Australia, the UK, the USA and Switzerland have successfully completed this climb.
Airing his thoughts on completing the feat Elmo said, “The sense of achievement that you feel the moment you take that final step to a successful complete your task is indescribable. Exhausted, overwhelmed yet on top of the world, you feel fantastic. I would like to offer my whole-hearted appreciation to EFL for their unwavering faith in me.
Elmo is in charge of training at Amana Bank and he conveyed his gratitude to his employer for coming on board as the event partner in the Everest expedition. He thanked other sponsors Sri Lankan Airlines and the Ministry of Sports for the patronage offered.