THE organisers of a proposed project to climb the summit of Mount Everest are still on the search for viable candidates to form a team to scale the world's highest peak in 2013.

According to a press release by the Brunei Everest Team, they have tentatively planned their climb in March 2013 and are calling out interested members of the public to sign up for the expedition.

To date, only five Asean countries have successfully planted their national flags on the summit of Mount Everest namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

The Brunei Everest Team's attempt would put them where no Bruneian has ever been before, proving that Bruneians have the mettle to compete with others around the globe in a race to the top.

The team are looking for avid mountaineers, irrespective of age or gender, but preferably with proven solid mountaineering experience.

Potential candidates must be patient as well as mentally and physically strong to cope with the various obstacles faced by the Everest Trekking Amal Team during their ascent to Everest Base Camp in May 2010.

The proposed historic project is being organised by some members of this successful charitable trekking expedition.

"Currently we have received quite a number of interested individuals to join the team, and we are now extending this opportunity to the public (if they missed the first call), to come forward and be part of the team," said one of the interim organisers spearheading the project, '

"Of course, we would like the team to be well represented by Bruneians via a selection process which the applicants will be directly notified.""

Short listed candidates will undergo a stringent selection process, involving interviews and a fitness test as part of the selection process.

Interested climbers should email their CV to bruneiteam.everest@gmail.com along with a concise summary either in Malay or English as to why he or she wants to scale the highest mountain on earth and how he or she will be an asset to the team.

Previous applicants need not reapply and will be notified in due course, the outcome of their application once the project takes off.

The submission of CV to the above-mentioned email address must be not later than 31 Jan 2011. The Brunei Times