TEAM EVEREST ’03 ANNOUNCES FIRST CHALLENGE TREK MEMBERS
Climber with Disability to Lead Unique Team to Mount Everest
in 2003
AUSTIN, TEXAS April 24, 2002
The Team Everest ’03 Expedition has announced the first five
members of its Challenge Trek to Mt. Everest base camp in spring
2003. The initial team members all live in Austin, TX and represent
a diversity of disabilities: Chase Bearden and Gene Rodgers are
persons with quadriplegia, Mark Gobble is a person with a hearing
impairment and Joe Paschall is a person with a visual impairment.
Chris Costello will be the expedition interpreter. “Team Everest
’03 has a powerful message; it models how society can open
the door of opportunity to all people, regardless of their ability
or disability,” says expedition leader Gary Guller.
Team Everest ‘03 spotlights the potential of people with
disabilities and is led by Austin mountaineer Guller, a climber
with only one arm. The event is promoting 50 years of progress in
improving the lives of those with disabilities while paralleling
the 50th anniversary of the first summit of Everest. Guller will
lead this unique team of individuals and supporters on the three-week
Challenge Trek to Mt. Everest Base Camp at over 17,500 ft. before
himself attempting the 29,035 ft. summit.
The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities (CTD) kicked off this
dramatic 18-month campaign in February. “We are continuing
to accept applications for people with and without disabilities
for the Challenge Trek. Those who are interested in being a part
of Team Everest ’03 should contact CTD,” says Dennis
Borel, executive director of CTD.
For more information about the Team Everest ’03 Challenge
Trek, the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities or Gary Guller,
please contact Dennis Borel at (512) 478-3366.
Photos and media kit available upon request.
Press Contact:
Dennis Borel
Project Director
(512) 478-3366
info@teameverest03.org
www.teameverest03.org
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