Posted: May 18, 2006 10:45 pm EST
For four hard years, American Lance Trumbull fought for a dream. The ultimate climb for Peace would unite the most diverse countries and religions in a joint goal: To summit Mount Everest - together. Year after year, Lance announced the expedition, year after year, it fell through right at the end due to lack of funds. "Just about everything seems more important to this world than peace," Lance fretted in despair. And then he started all over again.

Finally finding a sponsor for his vision in Panasonic Toughbook, Lance didn't even want the summit for himself. Armed with the latest BGAN and Contact 4.0, Lance worked his butt off in hotel rooms and base camps, while other expedition leaders were gossiping in endless meetings over tea. The result: Lance did the best cyber updates this year, only to spread the word.

On May 14 finally, Lance posted his dream dispatch: "World History – Palestinian and Israelis – Together, on Everest Summit Push, Now!"

"I am proud to be part of Everest peace project"

The summit team consisted of Palestinian Ali Bushnaq, Israeli David (Dudu) Yifrah and an eclectic crew of other nationalities and religions.

"Never before has there been such a diverse Everest team consisting of people from different faiths and cultures – especially including Palestinian and Israeli men; our intention is to promote peace and teamwork and to 'unite the world on top of the world'" was Lance's fiery dispatch.

Yet Ali Bushnaq was forced to turn back - not due to politics - but pneumonia: "That's OK" he told Gulf News, "I am proud to be part of Everest peace project."

"After all, I am a Palestinian born Arab and he is a Jew from Israel"

ExWeb wrote about Dudu and Ali already fall 2004, in Jordan summit for Everest: "Dudu and I - A new brother who I will trust my life with."

The story was about the mens' first meeting, for a training climb in Jordan. Both were not quite sure what to expect. Ali documented the meeting in a compelling journal:

"It was an extremely hot Thursday afternoon in late June – I had flown from my home in Dubai to Amman , the capital of Jordan to meet and spend the weekend with someone that I was supposed to hate. After all, I am a Palestinian born Arab and he is a Jew from Israel."

"Honestly, I was a little nervous and I had plenty of time to think about the various problems and awkward situations that could arise between us as I drove the 350 Kilometer journey south to the mountainous region famous for where the movie Lawrence of Arabia was filmed."

"It was now night time, although still plenty hot, and I had finally arrived in Wadi Rum, the place where we were supposed to meet and then climb the following day. Midnight was approaching and at any moment I was supposed to meet Dudu. And then, slowly off in the distance four climbers appeared - it was a little surreal as they walked towards me from behind the guesthouse in the dark for they all had their mountain climbing equipment with them."

(Check out the full story in the links section to your left.)

“I don’t think I have been happier in my life”, radioed Dudu"

Now, Ali was out but the long march for Peace on Everest continued. And just in this hour, Lance's ultimate dispatch arrived:

"May 18th, 2006
8848m
Hi Everyone,

I apologize for not updating sooner – but our climbers are still on the mountain (on the way down) at various camps and I did not want to publish anything before I physically have seen that everyone was okay."

"On May 18th, 2006 at 6:51am Israeli David (Dudu) Yifah and Nepalese Namgyal Sherpa stood on the roof of the world! 'I don’t think I have been happier in my life', radioed Dudu from the summit of Everest. Shortly thereafter at approximately 7:25 am, it was Tonya Riggs’ turn – as she reached the summit she decided to sing a song for everyone to hear. Da Yula Sherpa of Nepal accompanied her (not in song, but in summit!)"

"At 7:58 it was Brad Clement’s turn, Lakpa Sherpa followed him a few minutes later. At 9:35am Jamie McGuinness and Micha Yaniv stood on the summit of Everest. Micha said that at times he felt like quitting, but that he continued on so he could “share his summit” with Palestinian Ali Bushnaq who had to abort his summit attempt due to illness."

"At 10:20 Selebelo Selamolela and Dawa Gelge Sherpa summited."

Well, Lance - looks that there's hope for peace after all.

Lance Trumbull is responsible for putting together this group of mountain climbers whose faiths and cultures span the globe. In addition to Lance (Buddhist from US) members are: Palestinian Ali Bushnaq (Muslim), Israelis Micha Yaniv and Dudu “David” Yifrah (Jewish), Indian Gautam Patil (Hindu), US Tonya Riggs and 72 year old Jerry Price (both Christians), South African Selebelo Selamolela (Christian) and co-leader and climbing director New Zealander Jamie McGuinness (Atheist).

The team climbed Everest via the North Col route, as part of Jamie’s Project Himalaya.

Selebelo Selamolela became only the second black African to summit Everest
David (Dudu) Yifrah became only the second Israeli to summit Everest (Micha Yaniv soon thereafter became number three)
Special mention: At 7000 meters (23,000 feet) Ali Bushnaq reached higher than other Palestinian.

The summits

The Everest Peace Project Everest Summits:

1. David “Dudu” Yifrah - Israel: reached the summit 6:51 am
2 Namgyal Sherpa – Nepal: reached the summit 6:51 am
3. Tonya Riggs – USA: reached the summit 7:25 am
4. Da Yula Sherpa – Nepal: reached the summit 7:25 am
5. Brad Clement – USA: reached the summit 7:58 am
6. Lakpa Sherpa – Nepal: reached the summit 8:02 am
7. Jamie McGuinness – New Zealand: reached the summit 9:35 am
8. Micha Yaniv – Israel: reached the summit: 9:35 am
9. Selebelo Selamelola – South Africa: reached the summit: 10:20 am
10. Dawa Gelge Sherpa – Nepal: reached the summit: 10:20 am

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