Climber makes "worlds highest mobile phone call"

Mobile telephony reached another frontier yesterday when the British climber Rod Baber set a new record by making the world's highest land-based mobile phone call from the summit of Everest. According to his sponsor (Motorola) Rod Baber made a call from 29,035 feet (8848 metres) to a voicemail box. You can listen to his message via a link on the BBC website.

It would seem that the phone call was well outside of the normal operating envelope for both the caller (who dialed prepared speed dial numbers using a small pointer because it was too cold to remove his gloves) and the phone itself (Mr. Baber had to tape the batteries to his arm to ensure that they remained warm enough to operate the phone). Mr. Baber also called home to his family as well as sending the world's highest land-based SMS message reading "One small text for man, one giant leap for mobilekind – thanks Motorola".

The new record was made possible when China aligned a mobile base station just 12 miles from the summit and in line of sight with the North Ridge of Everest. This should make it possible for mountaineers to stay in closer touch with the outside world and for rescue missions to use mobile communications on the mountain.

This is one of a number of "stunts" happening during the current Everest climbing season of which the most dangerous is likely to be an attempt by the Dutch climber Wim "Iceman" Hof to climb to the summit wearing only shorts, boots, gloves and a cap. By the end of this years climbing season it is expected that approximately 550 people will have reached the summit of the worlds highest peak.