Mount Everest at 29032ft elevation is the most popular peak in Nepal. It has been climbed by more than 6000 thrill-seekers. Black has been represented by fewer than 10 climbers.

Full Circle Everest, an all-Black group of people from Black countries is trying to make this a reality. One high school science teacher will join the group that is heading for Mount Everest. Another veteran of the Iraq War and one small-business owner are also part of this 11-person crew. They’re from all across the U.S. — except for one, who’s from Kenya.

They aim to promote racial equality in the great outdoors through climbing Mount Everest.

“We’re showing up to basecamp as 10-plus Black folks, supporting each other… To be able to show up and represent in that way is huge,” Rosemary Saal, one of two women on the Full Circle Everest team, told CNBC’s “The News With Shepard Smith” earlier this month. As a young woman of biracial origin, I feel honored to have been chosen to represent the team.

They are very likely to succeed: One member said that all eleven members have a lot of climbing skills. “Phil [Henderson]Team leader Eddie Taylor assembled an extremely competent team. Everybody has many skills and abilities outdoors,” Eddie Taylor of the expedition, who is a member with 10 years’ informal climbing experience told CNBC.

They spent many months training and building their endurance, including running, weightlifting, hiking, and running. Saal mentioned that the climbers even traveled to Nepal to practice climbing, and met with Sherpas to aid them on Mount Everest.

It is not easy or safe to attempt Mount Everest’s summit. The mountain has seen at least 280 deaths, according to a 2019 BBC article.

Taylor however said that the greatest challenge has been finding money. Taylor stated that the cost of climbing can be anywhere from $40,000 up to $150,000, depending on how much you pay your outfitting company. It doesn’t cover your gear, insurance, flight, and all other items.

Taylor explained that at first the climbers had difficulty raising funds. After that, the climbers received over $160,000 in donations via a crowdfunding campaign. GoFundMe campaign. According to PBS News, this figure was pushed above $500,000 by community donations and sponsorship from sponsors such as North Face or the VF Foundation..

Taylor stated that the group has all the funds it requires to climb Mount Everest. Taylor expressed hope that the summiting of Mount Everest could help young people from color to see that outdoor pursuits are available for everyone.

He stated, “There are some things I wish that young children get out of this.” One, it’s possible to do anything. One, they have the ability to pick their goal and achieve it. These outdoor spaces are for them.

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