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Ranking in 7summits list, either CP or K | : | 60 |
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Ranking in Carstensz Pyramid list | : | 45 |
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Ranking in Kosciuszko list | : | 39 |
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First name | : | Sundeep |
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Family name | : | Dhillon |
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Gender | : | male |
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Country of origin | : | UK |
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Date of Birth | : | 1970-01-06 |
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Name of first summit | : | Denali |
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Date of climbing the first summit | : | 1991-07-17 |
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Name of final summit in Carstensz list | : | Everest |
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Date of final summit in Carstensz list | : | 1998-05-25 |
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Name of final summit in Kosciuszko list | : | Kosciuszko |
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Date of final summit in Kosciuszko list | : | 1998-11-25 |
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Date of climbing Kilimanjaro | : | 1993-12-31 |
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Date of climbing Elbrus | : | 1992-06-07 |
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Date of climbing Aconcagua | : | 1996-02-11 |
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Date of climbing Denali | : | 1991-07-17 |
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Date of climbing Vinson | : | 1992-12-07 |
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Date of climbing Everest | : | 1998-05-25 |
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Date of climbing Carstensz Pyramid | : | 1994-11-20 |
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Date of climbing Kosciuszko | : | 1998-11-25 |
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Climbed Carstensz Pyramid? | : | Yes |
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Climbed Kosciuszko? | : | Yes |
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Total time including Carstensz Pyramid | : | 06y,313d |
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Total time including Kosciuszko | : | 07y,132d |
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Age when finished with CP | : | 28y,139d |
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Age when finished with K | : | 28y,323d |
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Website | : | |
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Additional Info | : | (from http://www.epsomcollege.sch.uk/News/archive/web2000/sundeep.htm)
Accomplished climber and former Epsom College pupil, Sundeep Dhillon, was the youngest person in the world to climb the Seven Summits, the highest mountain on each continent in 1998, aged 28.
Sundeep left Epsom College in 1988 and went on to read medicine at Oxford where his interest in exploration grew. After qualifying he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps and passed P company, the rigorous selection to become a paratrooper. Following numerous explorations to unknown territory, Sundeep embarked on his record-breaking attempt to conquer the Seven Summits. In 1996, his quest was thwarted by the worst storm on Everest; Sundeep was forced to turn back some 400 metres below the summit, burying a fellow climber on the way down.
Undeterred, he returned two years later and finally reached the summit, ending a seven-year quest to break a world record. His final ascent was delayed as he helped others to safety who were injured or dying from altitude sickness, giving up his oxygen at over 8000 metres and risking his own life to save other climbers.
Sundeep spoke not only of the technical aspects of climbing the highest mountain in the world but also of the physical and emotional demands of such an expedition. Climbing at over 8000m, with very little oxygen, progress was painfully slow and exhausting - 100 metres an hour. He needed to take 20 or 30 breaths to take one step, collapsing after 3 or 4 steps. Sundeep went for 20 hours without food or water and lost over 4.5 stone during the climb. However, the friendships he made are everlasting including those with the Sherpas. He spoke highly of their loyalty, strength and courage, men who frequently risk their own lives to help climbers achieve their ambitions.
Sundeep's exploration to the summit of Everest cost upwards of £25,000, mainly obtained from sponsorship, networking and a sympathetic bank manager. Having conquered Everest and the seven summits, the question is what next? Sundeep already has plans for an expedition in 2004 - to walk from Pole to Pole.
However, his modesty was reflected in his opening line: "There is no such thing as an extraordinary person but ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Anyone can achieve things beyond their imagination if they only stretch their imagination a little."
Photograph by Ben Holland |
