Indonesian set to scale Everest

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)