Kathmandu – The watchmaker Michael Kobold and the explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes reached the summit of Mt. Everest here early this morning. Mr. Kobold placed a telephone call from the summit in which he said “this has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and without the SEALs’ help I sure would not have made it to the top.” Mr. Kobold and his team raised a flag depicting the Navy SEAL trident atop the summit in honor of wounded and fallen SEALs. Kobold, who is leading the 2009 Everest Challenge Expedition in support of fallen and injured U.S. Navy SEALs, was trained for approximately two months on the SEAL base in Coronado, California ahead of his adventure in Nepal.
The expedition’s other team members include Sir Ranulph Fiennes, whom the Guinness Book of World Records describes as the world’s greatest living explorer, Kenton Cool, the British mountain guide who has summitted Everest a record seven times, and Will Cross, the first diabetic American to reach the summit. Will Cross did not reach the summit but instead abandoned his bid to stand atop the world’s highest mountain.
Michael Kobold asked his teammates to join him in support of his mission to raise $250,000 for the Navy SEAL Warrior Fund, a 501c3 charitable organization that provides financial aid for the families of SEALs who are wounded or have fallen in action. The U.S. Navy SEALs are arguably the most well-trained fighting force in the U.S. Armed Forces. Each Navy SEAL must complete a grueling 7-month-long program that tests his mental and physical toughness and endurance. A group of Navy SEALs volunteered to train Mr. Kobold when they learned of his ambition to raise money for the Navy SEAL Warrior Fund.
Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! Cheers, Sam.
Comment by Samuel Louie — May 21, 2009 @ 6:33 am
Mike, way to go! We will be praying for descent. We will look forward to your oveall report. Sam, Nancy, James, and Jodi
Comment by Sam Webb — May 21, 2009 @ 7:51 am
Congratulations Mike to both you and Ran!
Keep safe on the way down,
Liz
Comment by Liz Scarff — May 21, 2009 @ 8:05 am
Awesome work mike! Looks like all the hard work paid off…
Comment by JH — May 21, 2009 @ 8:27 am
Whoopee!!! You did it.Many congratulations.It was fantastic listening to the news when I woke up this morning.Simon is so pleased for you all and wonders if Ran wore his socks to the summit! Great causes for you both to raise funds for.Jolly well done boys!
Comment by Steph Clarke — May 21, 2009 @ 8:35 am
That’s my brother
Super Michi freu mich tierisch für dich. Herzlichen Glückwunsch!
Comment by Matthias Kobold — May 21, 2009 @ 8:49 am
Congratulations to Mike, Ranulph and the team! What a stellar attest to Mike’s ambition and courage! We send our best wishes for a healthy descent and recovery! Elizabeth Doerr and the Doerr family
Comment by Elizabeth Doerr — May 21, 2009 @ 10:26 am
Fantastic effort, Mike! I look forward to a full debrief over a slap-up meal when you’re back. Really well done.
Comment by Ben Saunders — May 21, 2009 @ 10:26 am
Mike,
We are so proud of you and look forward to welcoming you back to Germany to celebrate. Please congratulate Ran.
Love,
Adele and Dieter
Comment by adele — May 21, 2009 @ 11:48 am
We are all very proud of you Guys! That pride extends to the U.S. Navy Seals and the Warrior Fund. Together, all Champions in our eyes. rcf
Comment by Richard Fuisz — May 21, 2009 @ 12:01 pm
Way to go Mike and team, that is fantastic news!!! Have a safe trip down and I look forward to hearing from you when you get back
Comment by Thomas Mulraney — May 21, 2009 @ 12:43 pm
Congrats from the burgh! Just read the news of your summit triumph!
Please be safe and come home knowing you have done a great thing helping the Military and their families.
Cheers
Bill
Beaver PA
Comment by Bill Witkouski — May 21, 2009 @ 2:10 pm
Congratulations, Mike!!
Now get back here so we can talk watches
Eric
Comment by Eric Adams — May 21, 2009 @ 2:24 pm
We are very proud of you Guys and the U.S. Navy SEALS and Warrior Fund. All Best. rcf
Comment by Richard Fuisz — May 21, 2009 @ 2:27 pm
Congratulations Michael! See what you accomplish when you focus. Praying for your safe descent and return to Pittsburgh. So proud of you………Joann
Comment by Joann Luba — May 21, 2009 @ 2:56 pm
How did it feel being on top of the world?
What an accomplishment…you now belong to a very small and exclusive group!
Descend safely.
Love, Chris, Amy and Em
Comment by Amy Millis — May 21, 2009 @ 3:22 pm
Good job Mike! Come down slow and steady. Chadthewatchguy
Comment by Chad Rickicki — May 21, 2009 @ 4:56 pm
Ranulph Fiennes came to Oman a few years ago as the speaker for a meeting I was at; very impressive and the determination was tangible – congratulations to him and to Mike - amazing feat
Comment by Oman — May 21, 2009 @ 4:58 pm
Good job! We knew you would get there. Be safe on the way down and have a safe trip back. We’ll be sure to treat you to your usual 5 fish tacos and gallon of guacamole when you get back to San Diego. I’ll get speading the word about your summit around the Command.
GOOD JOB!!
Smitty, Joe, Dave and Kev (and the rest of the fellas from 1st phase)
Comment by Smitty — May 21, 2009 @ 4:59 pm
Excellent news well done to all, especially Ran. Will, Everest will still be there next year, maybe I’ll see you on it. Keep motivating! Now safe back to BC. (if you’re not there already)
Comment by Steve Blethyn — May 21, 2009 @ 5:48 pm
Congratulations!
I agree with all of the above. Keep safe on your descent and keep that image of the warm bed and the really, REALLY delicious meal on repeat in your brain, and you’ll be there before you know it.
I look forward to reading your blog after you come down.
Comment by Lils — May 21, 2009 @ 7:35 pm
Mike, congratulations. This is an awesome accomplishment. Thank you for supporting the Navy Seals and all of us serving in the military.
Comment by Jonathan Magill — May 22, 2009 @ 1:24 am
Mike n Company –
Stay alert and cautious….it’s a lot harder to stop yourself going down, than going up…Think CHOCOLATE Mike…lots of chocolate. A wonderful thing you have done to assist the SEALs
HUGE congrats
Comment by Page — May 22, 2009 @ 1:36 am
Well Done all!
You are better men ( incl Anita) than I Gungadin!!
How did Uri and laura get on?
Simon
Comment by Simon Piper — May 22, 2009 @ 11:09 am
Dear Michael,
On behalf of the Hyatt team here in Kathmandu we would like to congratulate you on your feat !!
Suman Shrestha
Comment by Suman Shrestha — May 22, 2009 @ 3:25 pm
Congratulations to all!!!
Best wishes for a safe descent and safe journey home.
And be careful out there.
Comment by Steve Dorfman — May 22, 2009 @ 10:33 pm
Mike -
Congartulations on publicly setting such an ambitious goal and then achieving it. I’m glad everyone is safe.
Warmest wishes,
John
Comment by John Morrissett — May 26, 2009 @ 4:54 am
Congratulations, Mike! You and the team have a right to be proud. Stay safe on the descent (that’s the toughest part!).
Hope to see you at San Diego Underwater Adventures when you get back to Coronado.
Comment by Dr. Bill Creasy — May 26, 2009 @ 1:34 pm