May 5, 1999

Everest Summit: 29,028 feet (8,850 meters)

(Note: Nationalgeographic.com does not research or edit dispatches.)

Transcript of phone call from Pete Athans at the top of Everest to Terry O’Connor at Base Camp:

Terry O’Connor: This is a report from Pete Athans from the top of the world, just having recently completed his summit. He radioed in and told us that he could not climb any higher. Stand by for Pete Athans. Pete is going to file a report over the radio. Stand by...

Pete Athans: Hey, this is Pete Athans. I’m at the very rooftop of the world... [audio breaking up]

Terry O’Connor: Stand by...

Pete Athans: ... Very light... [inaudible audio]... waiting for a little bit of companionship, all by myself... a little bit of cloud off to... [satellite signal failed]

Editor’s Note: With this climb, Pete Athans became the only non-Sherpa climber to reach the summit of Everest for the sixth time.