Ben Fogle’s Mount Everest – Starting tonight!
Catch adventurer Ben Fogle, 44, and Olympic gold medallist Victoria Pendleton, 37, making their Everest summit attempt under the tutelage of mountaineer Kenton Cool at 9pm on ITV tonight (30th August).
Their attempt to summit the tallest mountain in the world, Mount Everest (8,848m), in aid of the British Heart Foundation has been filmed as part of an ITV documentary named Our Everest.
If you’re nervous of heights, look away now. Victoria Pendleton and Ben Fogle face the world’s highest mountain: Everest 😳 #OurEverestChallenge @Benfogle @v_pendleton pic.twitter.com/a5dgndl5C8
— ITV (@ITV) August 30, 2018
World-renowned British mountaineer Kenton Cool guided their summit attempt, having himself summited the mountain 12 times.
Weeks of training and acclimatisation; as well as treks to various heights on Everest, have been required in preparation for the climb during Everest’s ‘sweet spot’ in May, which is the safest time to attempt a summit.
In the documentary, viewers will see Pendleton’s attempt take a life-threatening turn for the worst.
The three made several rotations on the mountain, including up to Camp Three, but it was Camp Two (6,400m), at which Pendleton’s health dramatically deteriorated and she started to suffer the effects of hypoxia.
With her oxygen count measuring 21%, where most would record 99-100%, she was advised by medical professionals to abandon the climb. She was put onto oxygen and dextamenthadone to prevent High Altitude Pulmonary Edema.
“Our first ‘rotation’ onto the mountain was successful in part, but Victoria Pendleton struggled with the altitude. While she was physically strong, physiologically she struggled to cope with the thin air. Her oxygen saturation was worryingly low. At sea level, most of us would record a healthy 99-100%, anything lower than 95% and you’d probably find yourself in casualty. Victoria registered 21%. That’s nearly dead.”
“It was pretty scary for all of us to say the least. Together Vic and I have climbed peaks around the world in preparation for our Everest summit, and while Victoria has struggled to adapt with the altitude, she has soldiered on. She has been such an inspiration.”Ben Fogle
Fogle had to push on in order to complete this incredible climb, and whilst ultimately successful, it was not without its challenges!
He revealed details of how his oxygen tank exploded while he was in the death zone.
At 8,800m, at a life threatening height, his second regulator exploded on his back.
Since this time, it has been revealed that a defective batch of oxygen bottle regulators was released, which affected the summits attempts of a number of teams.
Ben Fogle recounts his journey to the top of Everest in his new book, due for release on the 18th October.
Will you be watching Our Everest tonight? Let us know.
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