Places are available for fit and adventurous people to join the program of support treks being run in conjunction with the Army Alpine Association's ascent of the North Ridge of Mt Everest in March-April.

This offer is open to members of all forces, full-time and part-time, and to other members of the Army Alpine Association (AAA). To participate, you will need to be fit and capable of carrying a pack to altitudes of 5000 metres. Anyone who plays vigorous sport regularly or who can confidently carry a weapon, pack and webbing in a field exercise should have no trouble reaching this required level of fitness.

In addition to the major climbing activity by highly skilled mountaineers, AAA organises treks to the area to enable service members who do not have the climbing skills to participate in the activity, treking to the area of the expedition. Those trekers with higher levels of fitness may visit the expedition base camp and undertake some climbing activities on minor peaks in the vivinity.

Treks are offered as follows:

A: Two Faces of Everest (30 March-1 May) - visits Everest from both the Nepal and Tibet sides, including the base camp (est cost $6000).

B: Everest via Arun Valley, Nepal (21 March-19 April) - approaches Everest from the south-east direction (est cost $4100).

C: Everest Trek and Island Peak Ascent, Nepal (25 March-19 April) - offers additional challenges to those fit and adventurous members who would like to attempt the ascent of Island Peak (Imja Tse 5150 m) (est cost $4100).

Trekers from B and C who wish to visit the expedition base camp in Tibet can join Trek A in Kathmandu on 17 April as an optional extra at an estimated additional cost of $3655.

These treks are being run for AAA by professional expedition organisers. Costs are subject to revision depending on numbers and currency exchange rates. If any trek which does not receive sufficient support to make it viable, it may be merged with another trek. At this stage, Trek's A and C appear most popular.

Further information may be obtained from: MAJ Ian Crellin, ph. 02-6271 6469 (w) after 15 January, 02-6258 7582 (a/h). Email: etreks@armyalpine.org.au. Postal address: Everest Treks, PO Box 46, Campbell, ACT, 2612.