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As our sponsors include South African mining companies, their SAFETY FIRST rules will also apply to this expedition.

Around 1 800 people have summited Everest. We estimate that the fatality rate is 4,5%, most being Sherpas who fall in the crevasses and the seracs of the Khumbu Icefall. (For reference, we estimate that the K2 fatality rate is in excess of 20% whilst the rate on South Africa’s roads is estimated by us at around 0,5%. It is interesting to note that the road rate is higher than that of the South African mining industry!)

Upper South East Ridge, 8 600m
(Click picture to view enlarged version)

Dougal Haston near the Hillary Step
(Click picture to view enlarged version)

Our safety rules include:

	We will do everything possible to rescue team members who get injured below 8000m.
	Only good extended weather windows will be used for summit attempts.
	Turnaround times will not be compromised.
	Flow rates of 2,5 litres per minute of Oxygen will be set to allow a safety margin in the event of slow climbing/descending rates.
	We are providing double Oxygen bottles (for 2, and possibly 3 attempts) so that all effort and risk is NOT thrown into one attempt.
	There is a medical clinic at base camp.
	We are aware that a French design helicopter landed a person on the summit of Everest during 2005 (previously only Camp1 was attainable), but are unsure that it is available in Nepal.
	Two satellite phones and three 144MHz radios will be carried.
	Safety equipment includes full down suits, foot and hand warmers, down socks, 3 down sleeping bags, diamox and dexamethazone injections.
	No environmentally offending objects will be left behind on the mountain.

Steep section of the Lhotse Face
(Click picture to view enlarged version)

Sean Disney in Antarctica
(Click picture to view enlarged version)

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