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 | | Wednesday, 8 August, 2001, 14:29 GMT 15:29 UK Adventurer inspired to attempt Everest  David Hempleman-Adams - next flight Everest British adventurer David Hempleman-Adams says a flight over Everest by two airmen in the 1930s inspired him to attempt to fly his hot air balloon across the peak. Mr Hempleman-Adams is a veteran of both poles and has climbed the highest mountains on all seven continents. "When I was flying to the North Pole last year, I though the next challenge had to be going over Everest in a balloon," Mr Hempleman-Adams said. The balloonist will begin his adventure from the Rongbuk Monastery, Tibet, which is scheduled for the week after 20 September.
The businessman, from Box, in Wiltshire, will travel in a traditional open-topped wicker basket carried by a 100ft high balloon, which will be powered by four special high altitude burners. Freezing winds He will have to face temperatures of minus 60F (-51C), lack of oxygen and turbulent freezing winds. Despite being an experienced balloonist and climber, Mr Hempleman-Adams said he acknowledges little can be done on this latest expedition if anything goes wrong. "My main worry is that it will be very hard to control the balloon because it has to rise at such a quick rate and if the winds change suddenly I'll just smack into the side of the mountain. "If that happens, I'll have to get out of the balloon and climb down but at that altitude, after such an impact, I don't know if that will be possible." No space age capsule The expedition, will be co-ordinated from England by flight director Clive Bailey. Experienced balloonist Gavin Hailes will co-ordinate the launch. The flight will be controlled from a base camp at 16,000ft up in the Himalayas and Mr Hempleman-Adams will get weather updates from his headquarters in Keynsham, near Bristol. Referring to an attempt by American adventurer Steve Fossett to fly around the world in a hot air balloon, he said: "There is no space age capsule for me on my budget, there's certainly no CD player in my balloon." | | See also:  Internet links: The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top UK stories now:  Links to more UK stories are at the foot of the page. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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