Nepali cyclist attempts to scale Mt Everest on a bike

KATHMANDU - Pushkar Shah, who has acquired fame by cycling through 150 countries, has begun his first attempt at scaling Mt Everest by bike.

Calling it the “Peace expedition 2010″, the Nepali cyclist had earlier told the media that he was going on this expedition to pray for world peace.

Accoding to Xinhua, he said his request for financial aid for the undertaking had been turned down by the Nepal Government, forcing him to sell off his belongings, including the cycle on which he rode around the world.

A five-member team led by Shah, which was stationed at the Base Camp situated at an altitude of 5,343 meters, left for the second camp situated at an altitude of 6,900 meters Thursday morning, according to Nepalnews.

The team aims to reach the top of Mt. Qomolangma, the Nepali name for Everest, on May 16. (ANI)