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ALPINE — Even after having both of his knees replaced, Greg Paul finally experienced the top of Mount Everest.
The 61-year-old mountaineer “has become the first known climber to summit Mount Everest with two total knee replacements,” according to Ortho Development Corporation, the manufacturer of his implants and a sponsor of his trip.
Paul tried to summit the mountain twice before, but was deterred by extreme weather and a deadly avalanche that killed 16 Sherpas and closed the mountain. Recently, he was part of the Himalayan Experience expedition team and was among the first group of people to summit the mountain in three years, Ortho Development Corp. reported.
“We extend our congratulations to Greg Paul and his expedition team on this incredible accomplishment,” Ortho Development president Brent Bartholomew said in a statement. “Just three years ago, the pain from arthritis was so severe for Greg that he had a hard time walking up and down stairs. For him to now have climbed the tallest mountain in the world is nothing short of amazing. Our congratulations also go out to doctors Marc Mariani and Benjamin Hansen from the Salt Lake Orthopaedic Clinic, along with all of the skilled health care professionals who assisted in Greg’s knee replacement surgeries. This is a monumental day for orthopedics and total joint replacement surgery.”
Before having his first knee replacement in 2008, Paul’s pain in his right knee was interfering with his daily routine and his ability to mountain bike, ski and climb. He experienced similar pain in his left knee, and it was replaced in 2012, according to Ortho Development.
“With Ortho Development’s Balanced Knee® System in both of his knees, Paul felt confident about his Everest summit attempt. During his training and acclimatization period on Everest, he reported that his knees were doing great and were the least of his worries,” the company reported.
Paul has kept a blog of his journey, and he posted the day he summited, May 13.
“I made it to the top of the world today and I am safe at camp 2,” he said on his blog. “I could not be happier and so tired at the same time. Nawang and I were the first on top of world on Friday the 13th, the luckiest date of the year, not to mention that it is tie dye day as well. It was the worst weather and best weather all in one day. I really thought we could die up there, but I prayed hard for the weather to change. It did not exactly happen in time for my summit, but about 45 minutes later it was beautiful. Wow what a day!!!!!!!!!!”
Paul called KSL Newsradio from Everest Base Camp and said he was tired and that it was hard to get out of his tent to make the phone call.
He and his sherpa were the first people to summit Friday, and he was the first to reach base camp after summiting.
“We will start our trek down Valley on Wednesday and get to Kathmandu on Saturday. I cannot wait to get home now, but patience is the name of the game,” he said on his blog Monday. “I will provide more details and pictures at another time as I am still worn out and we need to get packed up and ready to go. Thanks for all the support!! I am so amazed by the past few days and still cannot believe we made it to the TOP OF THE WORLD!!!!”
Contributing: Tim Hughes, KSL Outdoors
