Indonesian set to scale Everest

JAKARTA (JP): Gunawan Achmad will have the chance to become the first Indonesian to reach the peak of Mt. Everest, the highest mountain in the world, during a multinational expedition which starts on Aug. 26.

The 36-year-old Gunawan, or Ogun as he is called by his close friends, will represent Indonesia in the International Mountain Climbing team composed of 14 ice mountain climbers from seven countries which will try to scale the Himalaya's 8,848-meter mountain from the north bank.

"Ogun will pioneer for an Indonesian team which is set to climb the mountain next year, in conjunction with the republic's 50th independence day commemoration," IGK Manila, a top official of the national sports governing body and a honorary member of the renowned Wanadri mountaineering club, said yesterday.

Gunawan, also a member of Wanadri, has climbed six mountains in Himalaya, dubbed the top of the world, within the past two years. (amd)