Territorial On Top Of The World

A Captain from the New Zealand Army Territorial Force has successfully climbed Mount Everest.

Julian Haszard, a 27 year-old Dentist from New Plymouth reached the summit on Sunday 23 May 2004. He said his ascent was the scariest and toughest thing he’s ever done, but is elated by his success.

Julian Haszard (in red suit) stands at the summit with team member Dale Darling from USA (in orange suit). Note: Julian spent nearly thirty minutes on the summit and awaited most of his fellow team members. Conditions did not allow him to remain there until the fourth kiwi made it to the top.

Haszard completed his military and dental training through the New Zealand Army paid Malone Scheme and said the organisation played a crucial role in his success.

He said, "I am very grateful for the training and opportunities that I have received through the New Zealand Army. There are very few organisations that expose you at first hand to such a rigorous and professional recruitment process and then give you the opportunity to push your own mental and physical limits while at the same time developing leadership and management skills.”

Haszard climbed the mountain to help gather worldwide support and funds to educate the Sherpa people about caring for their teeth. His mission to reduce devastating dental decay in Sherpa children was inspired by his travel to the world’s highest dental clinic at Namche Bazaar where he delivered dental supplies donated from New Zealand.

Julian Haszard (in red suit) and team member approach the second step three to four hundred metres below the summit. The time is 0430. The sun is rising and has barely reached the North side, up which they are proceeding. The climbers had left Camp 4 just after midnight in very cold and windy conditions.

Haszard prepared for the 68-day expedition extensively and has climbed mountains in New Zealand, and overseas including Mont Blanc in France and Cho Oyo, the sixth highest mountain, in the Himalayas.

More than 1000 people have reached the top of Mount Everest since it was first scaled in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay. At least 168 have died trying.

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