THE ADVENTURERS
On this page you can find information on the climbers involved with 'Everest 2010'. Find out what they have achieved in the past and what they are expecting with the 'Everest 2010' fundraising expedition.
Sandy Hoby
AGE: 38
OCCUPATION: Flight Attendant
Being part of a promote “Bowel Cancer Awareness” campaign is something that I take to heart as my life has been affected by Bowel Cancer. Was it not for me having a totally random checkup back in 1999- I would not be alive today. Still to this day I’m not quite sure what got me to go and have a check up as I was fit and healthy, but what happened next still amazes me. My Gastroenterologist calls me the “luckiest girl in the world” as having that check up saved my life. Being told at 28 years old that had I not come in for a checkup I would have only had a couple of years to live was a huge wake up call for me. So to me, raising Bowel Cancer awareness is not just some slogan to pass around and take lightly, it is my life. Because I was aware......I am here today and I am writing this. I am living proof that raising awareness is so important as it would greatly reduce the number of people who are affected by Bowel Cancer each year, and I’m sure we all know someone who has been affected by this terrible disease.
I started climbing mountains in 2001 right after my big operation. I had a total Colectomy Ileo Rectal Anastamosis- the removal of my whole large intestine!
Having that operation totally changed the direction of my life. It gave me a sense of having to achieve something. I was told that after my operation I would not be able to do many things, I thought I would have to quit my job, and would not be able to do physically demanding things, but that is where I decided to push myself and try and climb a mountain, something that was totally foreign to me. I wanted to get out there and “live life” since I felt that I had been given a second opportunity to get out there and do something.
I climbed my first mountain in November 2001 and have never looked back. Since then I have climbed Mera Peak and Island Peaks in Nepal, numerous smaller mountains in New Zealand, Mustaga Atta in Western China, Cho Oyu in Tibet, Mt Fuji in winter, attempted Mt Everest last year but didn’t summit, and most recently climbed Mt Blanc in France and the Matterhorn in Switzerland. Next month I am hoping to attempt Ama Dablam, one of the world’s most beautiful mountains.
If sharing my life experience with the public will help promote awareness of Bowel Cancer and help to save lives, if I can achieve this just by being “who I am” and “doing what I do” I’m all for it!
Comments on Everest 2010
The perspective that I may be sharing a tent with any of these 4 guys at any given time on Everest next year is quite an exciting thought (I just hope they all remember to leave the toilet seat down and don’t forget their manners...).
On a more serious note, what an amazing adventure we are all on! I am excited about joining such a great group of guys who are so motivated…and their motivation makes me want to train harder!
I’m so honoured that I can jump on board and help promote Bowel Cancer awareness as it’s long term effects are something that I live with every day.
I know we will support each other in the harsh mountain environment when the going gets tough as not only is it a huge physical challenge in itself but it’s just as much a mental challenge.”
Past Achievements:
A passion for travelling has taken Peter from the tropical waves of Indonesia, to the Sahara Desert on a camel; and the icy peaks of the Himalayas. In 2005 he summitted the world’s 6th highest mountain, Cho Oyu, in Tibet. Pete loves an adventurous challenge, and seeks it in both travelling and sport. He is a Coolangatta Gold competitor, and last year completed the gruelling 46 kilometre ocean ironman race in 5.5 hours.
Pete teams up with Mike Whitney and the Sydney Weekender Team 5.30pm Saturdays on Channel 7 to explore the best attractions New South Wales has to offer.
Comments on the Everest 2010 Climb:
The challenge of climbing Everest intrigues me. I’ve always been in awe of the mountain. Over the years I’ve trekked to its Base Camp, and climbed its surrounding 6,000m metre peaks for a better view of it. The best view I’ve had was from 8,201m from the summit of Cho Oyu. The month of climbing Cho Oyu was worth the 1-minute majestic view of the highest peak on Earth - before the clouds blew in and it was gone – just like that! Of all my travel experiences this rates as one of the best. And now, to actually step foot onto Everest, to climb above the Khumbu Icefall, look up to the Western Cmn and high camps, is a dream come true for me - but I approach it with every respect for the mountain.
Supporting Bowel Cancer Australia through the climb will raise awareness of the disease and get people thinking and acting on it. I so often meet people who have been personally affected by it. I’d also like to think the expedition might inspire people to bring those “some-day” dreams to the present.
Stephen Bock
AGE: 38
OCCUPATION: Director | Ray White Team Bock
Past Achievements:
As an ‘elite performer’ within Ray White group, Stephen operates in the top 2% of the group Nationally. He has also competed at a National level in Aerobatic Flying and has climbed extensively over many years in the Andes in South America. He also competes on a regular basis in many 100km endurance events such as Oxfam Trail walker and the ‘Wild Endurance’ events with his teams normally placing in the top 10-20%.
Comments on Everest 2010
Climbing Mount Everest will be the completion of a 25 year dream for me. I am always excited by new challenges and enjoy pushing myself beyond where I thought my limits were. I believe it’s only in doing this that we can really understand ourselves. After losing my Father last year to Bowel Cancer at a very young age I am incredibly motivated to raise sponsorship for Bowel Cancer Australia to keep developing early detection programs. My Father never got to see me climb Mt Everest but I will be taking his picture with me to the summit in honour of him.
Darren Robertson
AGE: 33
OCCUPATION: Consultant
Past Achievements:
As a local Sydney lad, Darren has experienced success at many levels from his days playing rugby league in the Queensland Cup, competitive cricket in the Sydney Grade & Shires competitions to successfully summiting the highest mountain outside of the Himalaya’s……Mt Aconcagua (6,962m) in The Andes, South America.
It was here that he first climbed with his good mate Stephen Bock and a South African named Ronnie Muhl, the man who will be leading the Everest expedition in 2010. Darren’s passion for adventure is constant and has included heli-snowboarding in New Zealand, skydiving over the Pacific Ocean and long distance trail running for charity.
Comments on Everest 2010
My friends and family think I’m crazy for wanting to climb Mt Everest and when I’m asked why I can only say that I see this as a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel with some good mates and a great team of people all with the same unified goal of attempting to summit the highest mountain in the world and claim one of life’s great adventures. Along the way we will raise funds for a great cause in Bowel Cancer Research but ultimately, for me, it’s a burning desire to achieve something great and hopefully along the way to inspire others to go out there and follow their dreams.
Brad Jackson
AGE: 37
OCCUPATION: Oil Rig Worker
Past Achievements:
Brad grew up in Western Australia but was lured to Sydney after meeting a gorgeous flight attendant (Sandy) in Nepal in 2005. He started climbing in Peru and Bolivia in '99 and has since climbed in Ecuador, Argentina, China (Xinjiang and Tibet), New Zealand, Europe, Canada, Indonesia, Japan and Nepal.
A keen photographer, Brad is often seen lugging ludicrous amounts of camera gear up mountains and is always keen on trying out some new type of climbing gear. The climbing gear stores love him, the bank manager however is not so keen. His pictures have appeared in several publications and feature on many climbing related websites.
Along with Sandy, Brad attempted the Nepalese side of Everest in 2008 but was thwarted by sickness.
Comments on Everest 2010
I am incredibly excited to be joining a highly professional group of people and raising awareness for the early detection of a disease that almost took my wife's life. I am inspired by fellow Everest climbers David Tait and Alan Arnette, who have both selflessly dedicated much of their lives to increasing the awareness of Bowel Cancer.
We have a good vibe, we will have fun and help a great cause. I’m honoured to be part of such a project.
