“We all move mountains though life is really about scaling your summit!”

I am Amit Jina and I am raising INR 40L to climb Mt Everest next year and I’ll be donating a portion of this to the Make A Wish Foundation, which helps critically ill children Scale their own Summits. I am a Management Consultant by profession, a dad to a gorgeous 9-year old by luck, a mountaineer by chance and a driven person by habit... I feel there are lots to do in this life & truly believe- what does not kill you makes you stronger.

Earlier in the year, I summited Mt Nun (at 23,409 ft it stands taller than the highest mountains in each of the continents outside Asia. You can read all about this on my blog @ https://amitjina.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-mountains-are-calling-and-i-must-go.html.

I would be extremely grateful if you could consider supporting my cause to help each one Scale their Summit.

The Everest 2019 challenge

* 8848 meters to climb!

* MINUS 20 to 30 C temperatures to survive and live in for 40+ days

* 50 days from start to reach the top!

* basic nutrition and amenities

* carry your own weight and your luggage

* reduced oxygen levels

* avalanches, unpredictable weather, crevices, and numerous hurdles.

Let’s start with some facts

1. Give me details on Everest?

             The world’s highest mountain straddles the border between Nepal and Tibet in the Mahalangur Himal, which extends between the Nangpa La pass in the west and the Arun River in the east. The height of Everest is 29,029ft or 8,848m. Around 4500 odd people have climbed Everest till now.

2. Who was the first to climb Everest?

             Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit on 29 May 1953

3. How long does it take to climb Everest?

            Most expeditions to Everest take around two to three months

4. the route to Mt Everest

5. How much does it take to climb Mt Everest ?

            The cost to climb Mount Everest is around INR 40-45 lakhs which include permit fees to Nepal Govt, sherpa/ guide cost, travel, regulatory fee, equipment cost etc.

NOW ABOUT ME……

1. What do you mean by #scaleyoursummit?

I truly believe that - It is not about the peak by far

                                          But the hills you climb every day

                                          In action and in your mind"

Every day we move mountains but life is really about scaling your summit. It should be something which defines you, something which is innate, which can relate to and which tests your potential like never before. It could be anything from a skydiving experience to getting something published but it would be awesome if each of us finds that something to chase, to conquer and it give it our all. So when I say scale your summit, I hope each of us finds that special something to believe in and do!

2. Why mountaineering?

I have always enjoyed challenges and enjoy taking the path less traveled. For example- I would drive around on a holiday only to discover a destination which is not obvious but be so enriched by the experience. Mountains have always beckoned me, it somehow rekindles some lost belief and helps one get lost only to discover oneself like never before. In 2009, I ran the London marathon. The preparation for it and battling injury days leading up to it made the challenge tougher but worth it. The euphoria and the joy in reaching the finishing line was truly something. In 2016, I trekked up to Everest Basecamp. It was a rewarding experience and I enjoyed my early escapades with the Himalayas. Since then I have been to Leh a couple of times as if the mountains are always calling out to me. In early 2018, I undertook a basic mountaineering course for a month. Since then I undertook a journey to get fitter mentally and physically and I climbed Mt Nun in June 2018, Mt Nun standing tall at 7135 m(or 23408 ft) which is the highest peak of the Himalayan range on the Indian side of the line of control in Jammu & Kashmir and the highest peak in all the 6 continents outside Asia. You can read about my escapades at https://amitjina.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-mountains-are-calling-and-i-must-go.html.

3. Why Everest?

“Pick what is tougher than the toughest and you will discover so much of yourself on that journey,” says me. Everest has been beckoning me and I must climb and conquer it. I must lose myself and find myself again. It is something I am striving towards, aspiring and believing in. It is a feat which will throw up many challenges and test me to limit but I do believe that with the right training and focus one can really scale their summit. Help me scale mine and be a voice to my cause.

4. What is Make A Wish Foundation?

Make A Wish Foundation helps in fulfilling wishes of critically ill children i.e. scaling their own summit. It is a beautiful cause where each person’s summit can vary – it can be as simple as meeting a cricketer or wearing a princess dress but imagine fulfilling wishes of these kids, enriching their lives with something. I believe that with your support we can make a difference in their lives. We can and we must. I do hope each of you also finds your summit on this journey with me.

5. What drives me?

I enjoy challenges. I think they drive me. The dream to conquer Everest is real. Intent and hard work can conquer all odds.

The intent to make the climb a success drives me and I am working hard to enable it. With the right amount of focus and positivity, I truly believe we can scale our summit. If one focusses on getting back safely then the climb is just one part of the journey so I am looking at it holistically.

6. How am I preparing for this feat?

Being a professional in the consulting world, time is always a challenge at work and travel take up a lot of time. However, I have put a strict regime in place which involves a diet plan, a fitness plan – running, weight training, resistance building, stamina building, regular yoga, and meditation. I am mentally grooming myself on multiple parameters too. I have a lot of friends and family supporting me in my endeavor. I hope you can also support my cause and join me on my journey to Everest and back.

7. Why fund me?

Fund me because you believe in Scaling your summit. Fund me because you believe in my cause. Fund me because somewhere you will find your own summit in this process. Fund me because we can together make a difference in the lives of the critically ill children. Fund because you care and because you can.

8. Any last thoughts?

Last lines are meant for ends. This is just the beginning of our journey. I will share updates with you. Pleases follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and use the hashtag #scaleyoursummit. Be my voice and spread the word.

9. Risks and Challenges

- The 1st recorded summit of Everest was on 29th May 1953. 1st recorded landing of man on the moon was on 20th July 1969

It took forever for a man to climb 8.8 km to Mt Everest..and then merely 16 yrs to raise another 384,392km to get to the moon...You get the drift....Mt Everest is not easy...The last full year of no recorded fatalities on Mt Everest was only in 1977....some of you were not even born then.

- What are the chances of dying on Mt Everest?- An analysis done by the BBC estimates older climbers have a 25% risk of dying. And the most dangerous aspect of climbing Mount Everest is not trying to reach the summit — it is trying to get back down. "Going up is optional....getting down is mandatory"

- Upwards of 26,000 ft is called the 'Death Zone'. At the top of Mt Everest, only 30% oxygen is available(compared to sea level)

- Number of deaths on Everest have been the result of altitude sickness when humans struggle to adapt to the low oxygen levels at high altitude.

- Avalanches- In 2014, an ice avalanche killed 16 people on the southeastern face of Everest. The following year, a magnitude-7.8 earthquake triggered an avalanche that wiped out South Base Camp, claiming at least 18 people lives.

- The most common causes of death for climbers are falls. The mountain is covered in ridges and soaring cliff faces, and even short patches of bad weather can cause climbers to lose their bearings and slip or fall over the edge.

- 70% of accidents happen on their way down the mountain

Refer https://theweek.co.uk/93740/mount-everest-how-dangerous-is-the-climb