The Daily - June 11,2022 - 23

FEATURE
Taking It Higher
Last month, the Full Circle Everest Expedition
made history by becoming the first all-Black team
to reach the summit of the planet's highest peak,
raising the profile of Black climbers everywhere.
But the real work for representation has just begun.
By James Edward Mills
O
n May 12, 2022,
the world celebrated
the successful
ascent of the Full
Circle Everest
Expedition. For the first time, an
all-Black team of climbers made
it to the top of the highest peak in
the world. Organized and led by
veteran outdoor educator Philip
Henderson, this group of eight
men and two women, each of
African descent, including a native
of Kenya, achieved a goal that has
been in the making for more than
60 years. Of the 10 climbers on the
team, seven stood on the summit
and, in doing so, walked into the
pages of history.
" While a few members, including
myself, did not summit, all
members of the climb and Sherpa
teams have safely returned to
Base Camp, where we will celebrate
this historic moment! " said
Henderson in a press release.
The members of the Full Circle
team who successfully summited
Mount Everest are Manoah Ainuu,
Eddie Taylor, Rosemary Saal,
Demond " Dom " Mullins, Thomas
Moore, James " KG " Kagami, and
Evan Green. The remaining members
of the group who made it to
Camp 3 with Henderson are Fred
Campbell and Abby Dione. Logistical
support at Base Camp was
provided by Adina Scott. And local
guides whose assistance made
this expedition possible included
Pasang Nima Sherpa, Lhakpa
Sonam Sherpa, Phurtemba Sherpa,
Dawa Chhiri Sherpa, Sonam
Gaylje Sherpa, Nima Nuru Sherpa,
Chopal Sherpa, Chawang Lhendup
Sherpa, Tasha Gyalje Sherpa, and
Amrit Ale. Still images and video
were captured by Pemba Sherpa
and Nawang Sherpa.
It's important that we acknowl " A
GROUP OF BLACK PEOPLE NEEDED
TO SUMMIT MOUNT EVEREST TO
REMIND US THAT THERE ARE STILL
MOUNTAINS TO CLIMB, TO REMIND US
THAT WE CAN STILL ACHIEVE WHAT
SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE. BUT IT'S NOT THE
END OF THE JOURNEY. "
-DR. NOELLE TRENT
edge the names and various roles
of the many people involved in this
monumental endeavor. Too often
when it comes to exploration and
adventure, we allow history to
neglect the contributions of those
who played a critical part in the
successful outcome of groundbreaking
events such as this. Not
only is this remarkable achievement
the latest milestone in the
enduring history of high-altitude
mountaineering, but as the first
Everest expedition orchestrated
and executed by people of color, it
also marks another step forward
in the global advancement of racial
diversity, equity, and inclusion in
the outdoor recreation industry.
" For far too long, people of color
have been denied-or overlooked-
when it comes to opportunities to
climb on the highest peaks of our
planet, " says renowned Everest
climber Conrad Anker. " Philip Henderson
and the team at Full Circle
Everest have taken this historical
context and moved it forward to
where we are today. The first allBlack
expedition summiting Everest
will have repercussions that reverberate
throughout the communities
of outdoors people and those that
look to see better representation in
the mountains. "
THOUGH AN ALL-BLACK CLIMBing
expedition might sound like
the exact opposite of diversity and
OUTDOOR RETAILER SUMMER 2022 /
23
JAMES EDWARD MILLS
The Daily - June 11,2022

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