Stepping off the edge for a lofty goal
Posted 3 months ago
Richard Saad
Strathmore Standard
On a windy, cold and overcast day, a brave man from Strathmore stepped off the edge of the Calgary Tower with nothing more than a harness, rope, and a goal: to help raise money for people in need, living halfway around the world.
Oct. 14 Byron Smith, owner of the Ford dealership in Strathmore and the director of the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation of Canada, rappelled down the side of the Calgary Tower in honour of the hundreds of Sherpas who help Mount Everest climbers every year.
Smith has rappelled from the Tower four times previously, all in anticipation of a fundraising gala he will be hosting next month. He hopes to raise money for the Sherpa people of Nepal, who are often in need of education, supplies, and medicine.
“I am indebted to the Sherpa for helping me get to the summit of Mount Everest,” said Smith, who reached the peak of the highest and most dangerous mountain in the world on May 21, 2000.
“From that, I am quite passionate about raising funds and helping them out. So the goal of our Calgary Tower Rappell Fundraiser is to raise funds and awareness for the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation of Canada.”
The foundation was formed in 1973 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Zeke O’Connor. The mission of the foundation is to assist the Sherpas of Nepal by financially supporting their healthcare, through the Kunde Hospital, their education through building primary and secondary schools, women’s literacy and environmental projects, including reforestation efforts.
Sherpas are primarily located in the Khumbu-valley, which is a national park surrounding Mount Everest. Because they are more accustomed to living and working at high altitudes, they are naturally better equipped at climbing to the top of the mountain. Climbers will most often use Sherpas to help them carry their equipment and various supplies, including the oxygen tanks.
“That’s the whole intent—to raise awareness and to support those groups,” said Smith.
Even though Smith has gone down the famed Calgary landmark four times before, each time down he says the feeling of exhilaration never ceases to amaze him. His latest rappell came two years ago.
In total last week, Smith went down the Calgary Tower five times, each time with a different supporter, including Brett Wilson from the CBC television show Dragons’ Den, and Calgary Flames alumni Jim Peplinksi.
Smith is quick to point out he is an extremely driven individual who enjoys pushing himself both physically and mentally. He says there are times when he thinks things through methodically and other times where he just wants to let loose and take some risks.
“I am very calculated at what I do and I enjoy pushing the envelope,” said Smith.
“Ninety-five per cent of all the work done climbing Mount Everest is done by the Sherpas.”
Smith feels the Sherpas are a people who are continuously forgotten when it comes to those who are rewarded with climbing the mountain.
“They are the ones who are truly carrying the load up that mountain. The Westerners who climb are getting all the glory for climbing, but without the Sherpa, virtually nobody would be getting to the top.”
Smith feels this fundraising drive and the Calgary Tower stunt are ways in which he and his supporters can pay homage to a people who are truly deserving of both respect and appreciation.
Being a part of the foundation, Smith says he is able to drive the initiative and determine where the funds go.
Smith will chair and MC a fundraising gala at the Fairmont Palliser on Nov. 6. Tickets can be bought from Smith by calling 403-585-6266.
