Calif. Man Attempts To Climb Mt. Everest At 68
MANCHESTER, N.H. (CBS) - When some people might start thinking about retirement, Jim Geiger is reaching for new heights.
"Is this possible for me at 68?" asks Geiger. "I just want to find out if I can do it."
At 68 years old, the California man is heading to Mt. Everest, hoping to become the oldest American to reach the summit.
He's already climbed some of the world's biggest mountains including Denali and Kilimanjaro.
"I want to send a message out that we can age well regardless of whether we're in our thirties or eighties," Geiger told WBZ-TV via Skype. "We can age well if we just move with intensity and have a plan to eat right and get enough rest and do exercise with intensity."
Filming the Everest climb will be New Hampshire resident Thom Pollard.
"Jim's main goal is to inspire people who are, if you will, over the hill and that's the working title of the documentary," said Pollard.
Pollard, who's a seasoned climber himself, says Everest is an immense task no matter how old you are.
"Well people have asked me if it's going to be difficult climbing with an older guy," said Pollard. "But when you meet him he's a physical force and a true presence to be reckoned with."
The two will do several acclimation climbs once they get to Nepal.
Then the Everest climb to the summit is scheduled to take place in May.
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