Jeno Panganiban and Miguel Mapalad will hope to be the first Filipino mountaineers to ascend Mt. Everest in almost two decades, with the pair expected to reach the summit by May 18.
Filipino mountaineering duo Jeno Panganiban and Miguel Mapalad are expected to reach Mount Everest’s summit this weekend, more than a month since they flew out to attempt to conquer the world’s highest peak.
Panganiban and Mapalad, part of the Philippine 14 Peaks Expedition Team, will begin the most challenging part of their journey on Wednesday evening.
After days of unfavorable weather, the two mountaineers said that it was the opportune window to attempt the biggest feat of their careers, with their team expecting to summit by Sunday, May 18.
On Facebook, Panganiban shared the timeline of their climb, and explained the decision to take advantage of the current window of opportunity.
“We had windows from the previous days but we'd face unfavorable weather and strong winds. Our teammates who went early just got stuck at camp 2 and eventually returned to basecamp for safety,” wrote Panganiban.
“So May 14 is the best window for us to move, as advised by our expedition team and leaders, to summit on May 18. We humbly ask for your prayers and all-out support.”
Panganiban and Mapalad are projected to be the first Filipinos to achieve the feat in almost two decades, with the last group having been the troika of Noelle Wenceslao, Janet Belarmino, and Carina Dayondon back in 2007.
[READ: Jeno Panganiban, Miguel Mapalad hope to show Filipino climbers' mettle in epic Mt. Everest quest]
Now with a chance to banner the Philippines in what is literally the world’s highest peak, the duo hope to bring glory to the country.
“Panahon na para mag kapit-bisig tayo. Heto na. Top of the world. Para sa inang bayan, Pilipinas. Para sa mga Pilipino,” they said.