www.topout.co.uk

The Everest2006 Expedition

By Neill Elliott

When planning an expedition to climb a mountain like Everest many factors must be taken in account, if you want to succeed you must plan everything to the finest detail, you must source the best equipment, food and clothing available and then make the best use of these and the conditions on the mountain.

 While making our preparations last year we looked at all the oxygen systems available for our Everest expedition and after comprehensive investigations we decided on the TopOut masks in conjunction with the Piosk Cylinders and regulators.

At this stage little did we know the vast difference using this system would make, so after a shorter than normal acclimatisation period we got our opportunity to make a summit attempt and on the 14th May 2006 five climbers left the North Col and three days later we all reached the summit at 06.40 am on 17th May, we passed everyone on the way to the summit, we were much faster, fitter, healthier and safer than all other climbers on the route.

Our speed I simply put down to the fantastic mask that Ted Atkins has developed, we had a similar level of fitness at the start as other climbers, our acclimatisation was similar to others, but our Oxygen masks were simply miles ahead.

I would highly recommend the TOPOUT mask to anyone who wants the best system currently available.