"It's a long way to the top" - AC/DC
It doesn't take a seminal hard-rock band to understand that Mt Everest is pretty high. Around 1500 people have climbed all the way to the top of Mt Everest. When you stack that up against the 4000-plus Olympic Gold Medals that have been awarded, the modern Olympics looks positively pedestrian (yeah ok, that's not even true...)
A combination of leg strength, cardiovascular fitness and the genetic ability to acclimatise are vital elements to any successful Everest attempt. Michael has been preparing for over 10 years for this climb. You can check out what a typical week of training looks like below:
Sunday
AM: Weights session
PM: A long run of 12 to 25km
Monday
Rest & recover!
Tuesday
AM: Weights session
PM: Long swim
Wednesday
PM: Jacobs Ladder (1-hour session with heavy pack)
Thursday
AM: Weights session
PM: Long cycle
Friday
AM: Fast 8k run
PM: 3 to 4 hour beach hike with heavy pack
Saturday
AM: 6 to 8 hour long hills hike with heavy pack
In addition to regular training, Michael is on a strictly controlled diet that includes 5 meals per day to make sure he has enough calories for training, one massage session and up to two physio sessions per week, as well as significant logistics planning and almost around-the-clock mental preparation.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
A Week in Training
Michael Dunjey: A Climbing Life
Michael Dunjey was born in Perth, Western Australia. He moved to Pakistan as a youngster, where his father worked as a doctor. It was there, at the base of the Himalayas, that a dream was planted in Michael's first began to dream of scaling the monstrosities.
After returning to Perth in his teens, Michael went on to complete an Engineering degree and commenced a successful engineering career. It was during this time, in the early 90s, that Michael commenced his formal climbing career with a rock-climbing course.
Multiple expeditions in Pakistan and a trip to the massive Cho Oyu in Tibet followed and Michael was thoroughly hooked. Importantly, he learned of his body’s ability to function well climbing at high altitude.
In 1996 Michael set his sights on Mt Everest. In order to free up time to train he gave up a successful engineering career to commence studies in podiatry at Curtin University of Technology.
In 2001 Michael completed his fourth major expedition to Pakistan’s Mount Spantik (7,027m), before an expedition to Muztag Ata (7,546m) in China as preparation for his Everest expedition in 2007.
As well as the necessary physique, fitness and climbing expertise, Michael has organised his
full family and professional life around 10 solid years of training and planning.
Becoming the first Western Australian-born climber to summit Mt Everest will be a significant personal achievement, but Michael also sees his efforts as a tangible way of showing others how they can set goals and take steps towards larger-than-life goals.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Media Release:
Perth Climber in Everest Bid for W.A. First
Perth-based mountain climber, Michael Dunjey, will seek to become the first Western Australian-born climber to summit Mt Everest when he joins an international expedition from March until June of 2007.
Thirty-four year-old Dunjey said the climb will be the culmination of a decade-long dream that has fuelled his passion for climbing.
"I've spent the last ten years in serious training for this expedition by climbing in the Himalayas and throughout Nepal, Pakistan, China and Tibet," said Dunjey.
Approximately 600 climbers attempt Everest each year, with only 100 making it to the final camp to have the opportunity - weather permitting - to push for the summit. Typically, ten climbers die each season on Mt Everest.
It has been 53 years since Edmund Hillary and Tenzig Norgay first conquered the mountain and Mt Everest still represents the pinnacle of human endeavour - the ultimate physical and mental test.
"About 1500 people have climbed Mt Everest so far," said Dunjey. "When you compare that with the 4000-plus Olympic gold medals that have been awarded, you start to get a sense for what a feat it is to summit."
Whilst Dunjey's expedition will be a remarkable personal achievement, he sees the Everest expedition as an opportunity to help others - naming Compassion Australia among the sponsors to benefit from the profile created from the summit attempt.
"Tackling Mt Everest requires sustained motivation, training, discipline and planning," said Dunjey. "I hope to use my skills and experiences to help others to dream big and to take practical steps towards achieving their dreams."
Sponsorship opportunities are available for organisations interested in aligning with this unique. Michael is also available for interviews.
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Please direct Media & Sponsorship enquiries to:
Brad Birt | m 0403.314.502 | e brad@the-globe.com.au
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Everyone has their own Everest.
Michael Dunjey's is a mountain
Welcome to the official site for Michael Dunjey's Everest Ascent 2007. Here you'll find everything you need to know about Michael's expedition as he seeks to become the first Western Australian to summit Mt Everest, including media releases, training reports and regular updates.
