Goya Dmytryshchak
Williamstown’s David Morgan is on top of the earth.
He has finally conquered Everest as part of his bid to climb seven summits on seven continents and run seven global marathons to raise money for Diabetes Australia.
Last year, his efforts were stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was his sixth mountain and the most challenging to date.
From Nepal, he hopes to fly to Alaska to conquer Denali – the final in his mountain challenge.
The global COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted the plans of a Williamstown man literally climbing mountains to raise money for diabetes.
Last week, David Morgan conquered Everest as part of his bid to climb seven summits on seven continents and run seven global marathons for the cause.
He has raised more than $40,000 for Diabetes Australia via the 7×7 Challenge.
Morgan’s daughter, Finlay, aged eight, has type 1 diabetes.
Asked how he felt after reaching the top of Everest, Morgan said he was “spent”.
“Eight and a half hours climbing up to Camp 4, four hours ‘rest’ to eat, lay down and be ready for the summit, 14 and a half hours up and back – I’m spent,” he said.
“Walking up to the highest point on earth was a relief.
“I just sat at the very edge and thought, ‘there is no more’.
“That summit just keeps on going.”
He said that, of course, not all went to plan.
“My sherpa regulator (which provides oxygen) broke, which had us perched on the ridge for too long,” Morgan said.
“The heaters decided not to work in my boots either.
“It was actually the ridge we got stuck on at sunrise that provided the most panoramic view of the new day that was awesome – a 360-degree dawn.”
Morgan has also climbed Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Elbrus in Russia, Aconcagua in Argentina, Vinson in Antarctica and Kosciuszko here at home.
He has completed the Great Ocean Road and New York marathons and is yet to run in Canberra, Chicago, Berlin, Boston and Tokyo.
His final mountain in Denali in Alaska.
Details: www.soulsearch.com.au
