Bernardsville News from Bernardsville, New Jersey • Page 17

V.OCT.i. ft 1 Mount Everest is next goal of former Basking Ridge resident SANDY STUAiT SufTWriter When moil people ulk about gelling to the top, they're referring to a climb up the corporate ladder, Bui when Scolt Fischer talks about getting to the top. he means in the literal tense It the goal or the former Batking Ridge resident, a professional mountain climber and guide, to wale the highest mountains on each of the Earth's seven continents The 31-year-old Fischer, who now lives in Seattle, has so far climbed Mount McKinle) in Alaska (North America, 20,320 feel). Mount Elbrus in the Soviet Union (Europe. I8.SI0 feet).

Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (Africa, I9.J40 feet) and Mount Aco- ncagua in Argentina (South America. 22.834 feet) Pitcher's biggest challenge will come next summer, when he attempts to reach the top of the world's highest mountain, the 29.028-foot Mount Everest in Tibet (Asia) "It's a big mountain and to climb it is a real logistical undertaking." said Fischer dunng one of his infrequent visits to the East Coast last week. "Out of the last four American expeditions, only one person has made it to the top." Fischer hopes to leave next August, "after (he end of the monsoon season," with a party of about 14 experienced climbers, including three The team, of which Fischer is the leader, will take almost three months to set up mountain camps and become accustomed to the high altitude and lack of oxygen before attempting the grueling climb to the summit Along the way. the expedition will require the services of a large support crew of porters, cooks and even yaks to carry equipment and supplies from the town of Lhasa (elevation 14.000 I Everest Bound Former Basking Ridge resident Scott Fischer is hoping to scale the world's tallest mountain, the Mount Everest in Tibet, during an expedition next i other athletic endeavors, he reasons, why not mountain climbing? "If we can convince someone like the Coca-Cola Company that we'll dnnk Coke on the expedition and that "Coke is it' on Everest, maybe they'll i sponsor us," Fischer said. 'During the next few months, Fischer plans to make his pilch to several corporations on the East Coast, where the idea of backing a mountain climbing expedition is considered a novelty.

"In Seattle," he explains, "that kind of request isn't all that unusual. Seattle is a mecca for mountaineering There are probably more people in feet) to the base camp at 21.000 feet Between airfare, climbing permit fees (paid to the Chinese government), food, supplies and support personnel, the price will be almost as steep as the North Face of the mountain that the expedition plans to tackle. Sponsorship NrwW "It's a big-time commitment and a big financial commitment." said Fischer "It'll end up costing us about a quarter of a million dollars." Fischer is hoping to defray the cost of the expedition through table contributions from both corporate and individual sponsors. If corporations are willing to sponsor Seattle that have been on that roost (Mount Everest) than anyplace else in the world." Fischer is hoping thai recent publicity about his sn year-old adventure tour business. Mountain Madness, will gain him the credibility he needs to convince sponsors he is serious, about the Mount Everest expedition.

Mountain Madness, which was founded to teach beginners climbing, camping and outdoor survival skills, sponsors tours to Alaska, the Soviet Union. Africa, Argentina and other exotic places. Actually. Mountain Madness isn't just for mountains anymore. Fischer's Afnca-based partner.

Wesley Krause. leads jungle tours and scuba diving trips as well as mountain climbing expeditions. Mountain Madness' dedication to providing "peak experiences worldwide" hasn't gone unnoticed. The most recent issue of Esquire Magazine listed MM's African tour in its "Consumate Guide to Winter Vacations." And Outside Magazine listed the same, trek as one of nine ultimate vacations in its February 1986 issue. Saw It Oa TV Fischer became interested in mountain climbing at age 14, when he saw a television show on the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in Lander, which gives instruction in climbing and wilderness survival.

He took two courses at NOLS dunng the summer of 1970, one dunng the following winter and a NOLS leadership course the next summer. By the age of 15, he had learned enough about climbing and camping to teach the activities to others. After graduating from Ridge High School in 1973, Fischer devoted himself to gaining climbing experience. For several years he worked at an assortment of temporary jobs, including stints as a king crab fisherman in Alaska and a uranium miner in Wyoming, making just enough money at each to finance his worldwide travels and climbing. Fischer was content for many years with his hand-to-mouth existence but his 1980 marriage to Jean Price, an Alaska Airlines pilot, changed that.

He founded Mountain Madness with the hope of being paid to do what he loves best. In the early days of Mountain Madness. Fischer taught most of the climbing and mountaineering courses himself These days, he's concentrating on running the business, leaving most the training courses and tours to his staff "1 like the technical climbing parts but I don't necessarily like teaching beginners how to set up camp and go to the bathroom outdoors." he said. "I live to climb for myself." When not running Mountain Madness. Fischer concentrates on reaching his goal of climbing the peaks of the tallest mountains on the Earth's seven continents.

In addition to Mount Everest, he still must scale Mount Vinson Massif in Antartica (16,860 feet) and Mount Kosciusko in New South Wales. Australia (7,130 feet). "The one in Another record crowd expected at races FAR HILLS The Far Hills Race Meeting Association will be sponsoring the 66th annual running of the steeplechase races on Saturday, Oct. 25. The races arc held to benefit the Somerset Medical Center The traditional equestrian event will be held at Moorland Farms on Route 202 in Far Hills.

Ml funds raised by the chanty he directed to the hospital's $10 million capital fund drive now under way According to race cochairmen John Van Stade and John Ike HI, income from the races will be applied specifically to the construction of the radiology and clinical laboratory Purses totalling $100,000 will cover six sanctioned races, one of which is the S50.000 Samuel Martin Memorial steeplechase handicap Race officials estimated that last year's program attracted more than 30,000 spectators, or close to the area's capacity To better handle the crowd this 'year, officials are trying to sell as many reserved and general admission tickets in advance as possible. The number of tickets to be sold is limited. The price of advanced general admission tickets is S25 for adults, with children under 16 admitted free of charge. Tickets are on sale at the following area locations: Basking Ridge: Corner Book Store. Bedminster: Bedminster Gift Shop.

Country Picnic, The Essex Gallery of Sport. Bemardsville: The Book Worm, Jewelers. Masiro Siloes. Timeless Touches, The Village Cheese Shop, Wine Cellars. Far Hills: The Butler's Pantry.

Ralph Snodsmith to be guest at county farm bureau dinner Ralph Snodsmith. nationally renowned gardening expert and talk show host, will be the guest speaker at the annual Somerset County Board of Agriculture and Farm Bureau Dinner today (Thursday, Oct. 2) Snodsmith will speak on "Humor from the Garden Hotline." A summer gardening job at the age of 9 on an estate in his hometown of Miuini Vernon. led Snodsmith to a distinguished career that has spanned nearly two decades of broadcast journalism in the field of horticulture. Snodsmith is host of the popular "The Garden Hotline" on WRKL Radio and WOR Radio, and he is the resident horticultunst of ABC Talkra- dio Weekend, which is heard from Maine to Hawaii.

The annual dinner is open to the public and will be held at the Readington Fire House on Hillcrest Road in Readington. Snodsmith is also a writer, making frequent contributions to various publications. He writes a monthly column entitled "1001 Home Ideas" and published his own book in 1984. "Ralph Snodsmith's Tips from the Garden Hotline." He is past president of the New York State Nurserymen's Association and has received numer- FREE DO YOU HAVE A READING OR WRITING PROBLEM? Consultation MDMOUAL TESTING, DIAGNOSIS. CORHECTKJM, REMEDIATION Ratardad Mechanics writing Composition writing Avaraga partorman Latter writing Advanced Thaaaa.

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"It's a dangerous mountain." he said "Certainly, for every climber who's reached the summit, another climber has died trying Fischer doesn't expect all 14 members of his expedition to make il lo the top of Mount Everest but he hopes everyone will finish the climb safely For that reason. Fischer's expedition will carry oxygen tanks, a safety precaution shunned by some climbers Inhaling oxygen in the thin mountain air helps climbers conserve their strength and avoid dizziness and exhaustion. "I basically want to get to the top." Fischer explained. "I think it's a lot safer that way." Fischer said he believes he's very lucky in that he's found a way to make a living by doing what he loves best and has enough time left over to pursue his dream. "It's agreatwayJo "1 wouldn't want to trade it with too many people." D'Apohto Sons, Far Hills Pharmacy.

The Knit Shop. Gladstone: Beval Saddlery. Peapack: Copper Kettle. Pluckcmin: Colonial Liquors. All Patron parking, located on the hillside and priced at S200, is sold out.

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