Vilane conquers Everest, again

2005-06-03 12:38

Johannesburg - Two more South Africans, Sibusiso Vilane and Alex Harris successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest on Friday morning.

The two were part of a team that included leader David Hamilton (UK), Tore Rasmussen (Norway) and three Sherpas.

With Friday's success Vilane has become the first black man to climb the world's highest peak twice and by two different routes.

The team reached the summit via the North Ridge by 07:20 SA time.

They reportedly spent an exhilarating one and a half hours on top of the mountain, before descending with the aim of getting all the way to Advanced Base Camp by the end of the day on Friday.

The mountaineer first made history by being the first black South African to reach the peak of Mount Everest in May 2003. Then, he was driven by the desire to put Africa on top of the world. Still driven, albeit by a different passion, Vilane made it up the mountain for the second time in two years.

Vilane is passionate about children and believes in their dreams, and wants to raise awareness for three organisations dealing with children.

The Birth to Twenty Research Programme is one of the organisations that stand to benefit from Vilane's climb.

Based at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Birth to Twenty is a grant-funded study that explores and documents socio-economic, socio-political, demographic and nutrition transition that is underway in South Africa and its impact on children and their families.

The other two organisations of Vilane's choice are SOS Children's Village in Swaziland and Africa Foundation in South Africa.

On Thurday Cape Town businessman, Tony van Marken, successfully reached the summit.

On the net:

www.mounteverest.net

- I-Net Bridge (News24)