14 DAY TRIAL // British mountain climber Rod Baber is planning to climb the Everest and establish the world record by making a mobile phone call from the summit. Mr. Baber is sponsored by the mobile phone manufacturer Motorola which has provided the phone that the mountain climber will use to make the call and send a text message from the summit, the new MOTORIZR Z8. This is scheduled to take place in May, if the weather permits it.
Of course, this wouldn't be much of an accomplishment, since Mr. Baber already holds a world record for reaching the highest point of every European nation. Also, making a phone call from the summit of Everest is now possible due to a mobile base that was installed in China and has line of sight to the north side of the mountain.
The phone Baber is to use has been tested in very low temperature conditions and the climb is only going to happen if weather conditions are good. So to sum it up, establishing the record should be a piece of cake. The only disadvantage is that staying in contact with this base station will mean that climbers have to follow the north ridge to the top, which is thought to be the toughest route.
After reaching the top of the mountain, Baber won't spend a long time there due to the harsh conditions at that altitude. Baber claims that taking a mobile phone along will greatly help him in the attempt to climb the mountain, as it would help him keep in touch with his family and friends.
"It does not matter how fit you are," said Mr Baber, "the key reason to success is 80% psychological. Having someone you can speak to on the other end of the telephone can overturn those invisible obstacles."