LTCOL Pat Cullinan and SGT Brian Laursen, who summitted on Everest, 25 May 2001, 13 years to the day Pat had previously made it.

There are probably a few descriptives that could be well applied to characterise an individual who finds the strength and spirit to scale the world's zenith, but the only label Sergeant Brian Laursen is interested in is that of 'mountaineer'.

'At what point can you call yourself a mountaineer,' Brian said reflectively to an interested guest at the welcome back function in Sydney for the Army Alpine Association Everest summit team, holding his newborn son, Gabriel.

'I guess I can now,' was the rhetoric as the dust settles on what has been an arduous and emotional expedition for the entire team, relieved to be back to small comforts and familiar faces.

The Governor General, Sir William Deane accepted a framed photo and shirt, presented by the team to thank him for his patronage.

The summit was a team effort by all accounts; in the Governor-General's words, 'Brian reached the crest on the shoulders of his team-mates and sponsors. Who gets credit for the last step? We are extraordinarily proud and have followed the efforts of the combined Defence Force operation in the centenary year of our Federation. It has been a celebration of achievement, determination and teamwork.

'Atop Everest Brian flew the Australian flag and placed a sprig of wattle in memory of Peter, Michelle and Kathleen, who are in our hearts and minds,' and with this acknowledged a mixed occasion - of celebration and commemoration. 'A well-known war poem is versed: a young man lingers lightly where he dies; perhaps they linger here with us this morning,' said Sir William, somewhat sentimentally.

SGT Brian Laursen, RAAF Everest summitteer and team leader, MAJ Zac Zaharias relax in the company of Sir William and Lady Deane.

If Dhaulagiri, in the Himalayas, 1997 was the summit of defeat for Brian, having turned back 300 metres from the summit, then Everest is certainly his personal physical triumph. When questioned as its degree of difficulty, Brian tributes his success on the day to pace. 'I was able to reach certain points within a given time frame, to ensure I had enough time to summit and descend safely, which you think about constantly.'

'We had a discussion at Base camp prior to the attempt, and I said it wasn't important to me who summitted, just that we managed to get a member on top,' and according the effort proved a success. 'I couldn't have done it without them,' said Brian, matter of fact.

The summit team-members gather with official guests at Admiralty House, Kirribilli where the reception for the returned AAA Everest Summit team was hosted.

'Nima and Chhewang Sherpa were about 10 metres in front and reached the summit first, greeting about 11 people there. The view from the top is awesome; you can see the curve of the Earth, stretching out and the clouds had just started to drop. It was a good feeling, particularly emotionally, and especially with the phenomenal support that flooded in from Australia.'

Brian, who has climbed in the Everest region a few times, admits he will probably not return. 'I'm interested in sea kayaking round South America and going to Africa, both places I've yet to visit, and will probably head back to France; just enjoy some cultural diversity.'

However, with work back on the agenda and spending some time with his family, Brian has plenty of time to plan his next adrenal adventure.

For a man who claims he wasn't any good at sport, Brian has certainly reached the pinnacle of his profession, with a steely determination for an endurance sport that leaves the rest of us gasping for breath and shaking at the knees.

Story and Photographs by Amber McKinnon