Meet the Climbers

Russell Brice
Expedition Leader (New Zealand)

* Russell Reflects
* Watch Russell Video

Russell Brice leads expeditions for his company, Himalayan Experience, and has 25 years of experience on Everest. An uncompromising leader, he oversees every aspect of his expeditions. By the opening of the 2006 climbing season, Russell had guided 137 clients to the summit without any casualties. However, having lost several of his closest friends on the mountain, Russell knows there are no guarantees. "In my lifetime, probably 80 percent of my mates have died from climbing," says Russell. "It's a privilege to survive this long, I suppose."

Max Chaya
Climber (Lebanon)

* Max Reflects
* Watch Max Video

Max Chaya is an experienced climber who, by early 2006, had climbed the highest peak on every continent and both poles except Everest. Max owns an outdoor gear company in Lebanon. If he summits Everest this year, he will be the first person from Lebanon to reach the top.

Tim Medvetz
Climber (United States)

* Tim Reflects
* Watch Tim Video

A fun-loving risk taker who designs Harley-Davidson motorcycles in Hollywood, Calif., Tim Medvetz was a last-minute addition to the expedition, having arrived in Kathmandu with cash for his climbing fee in a sack. Tim's considerable stature (he stands 6'5") puts him at a decided disadvantage for a mountaineer, as do the metal plates and pins that hold his spine, ankle and part of his skull together — the result of a near-fatal bike crash.

Terry O'Connor
Climber (United States)

* Terry Reflects
* Watch Terry Video

Terry O'Connor is an emergency room doctor and high-altitude sickness expert from Portland, Ore. Combining a love of the mountains and helping those in need, Terry serves as the expedition's doctor while attempting his own personal summit bid. As the only doctor on the mountain, he tends to numerous ailments and is involved in several rescue attempts.

Mark Inglis
Climber (New Zealand)

* Mark Reflects
* Watch Mark Video

New Zealand's Mark Inglis is attempting to become the first double amputee to summit Everest. In 1982, he spent 14 days trapped by a storm on New Zealand's highest peak, Mount Cook. As a result, his severely frostbitten legs were amputated just below the knees. A determined, tough and inspirational man, he has since climbed Mount Cook and won a cycling Paralympics silver medal. He is also a motivational speaker in New Zealand. "The main thing is to always know that nothing in life is too hard," says Mark. "You never know until you give it a go."

Mogens Jensen

* Mogens Reflects
* Watch Mogens Video

Mogens (pronounced like "bones") Jensen is a former elite athlete and Iron Man competitor. As a chronic asthma sufferer, he is determined to summit Everest without supplemental oxygen. Mogens is a schoolteacher turned professional mountaineer from Denmark — a country with no mountains. He attempted to summit Everest in 2005, but had to turn back just over 1,000 feet (400 meters) from the summit because he was losing his toes to frostbite.

Brett Merrell
Climber (United States)

* Brett Reflects
* Watch Brett Video

Brett Merrell is a firefighter from Los Angeles, Calif., who is determined to place a flag at the summit to salute his comrades who perished on 9/11. This marks Brett's second Everest summit attempt; in 2005, he endured eight straight altitude-fueled days without sleep at an early camp and could not continue. Brett has previously mortgaged his home and sold his Harley to afford the climbing fee. This year a friend and benefactor is financing his climb.