This spring, Geology Professor Dave Lageson will be accompanying mountaineer Conrad Anker and the American Climbing Team in their ascent of Mount Everest.

“We’re going to reclimb Mount Everest to commemorate the Americans’ first ascent,” he said. The first American ascent was in 1963. Since then, no team has successfully reached the summit. Nine men have died trying.

Lageson will assist the American team as far the base camp (18,000 ft), and then conduct geological research around the camp.

Lageson’s goal is to collect information so he can write a geological field guide of Khunbu Valley. His research will involve mapping faults and fracture systems, rock collecting and creating geological maps based on his discoveries.

Although there are published papers on the geology of Everest, Lageson hopes that a more detailed field guide will prove useful to geologists and the field of geology.

According to Lageson, acclimating to the high altitude is the hardest part of climbing Everest. He explained that getting to base camp could take a few days or several weeks. The slower the climb, the easier it is to become acclimated.

Training for the high altitudes of Everest boils down to strict diet and exercise. He is preparing for the ascent by trail running, working with a personal trainer and eating healthy.

Lageson said he will continue training and wait for the spring to come, but commented that it is still hard to believe he is going to Mount Everest.