Tico climber preparing to scale Mount Everest

Costa Rican Warner Rojas is gearing up to conquer yet another summit. The mountain climber already has waved a Costa Rican flag from the top of South America’s seven highest peaks and now he has determined that he will undertake Mount Everest in 2012.

In a 2008 interview with The Tico Times, Rojas, 39, said his interest in climbing began at age nine after surveying the Central Valley from the Cross of Alajuelita, a 2,036-meter mountain in the southwestern San José suburb of the same name.

“I could see everything,” he said. “The whole valley and all the other mountains.”

This time, Rojas must travel 15,574 kilometers from San José to Lhasa, Tibet before beginning his ascent on Everest’s northern face. Rojas is using this distance as part of his campaign to raise funds. Those interested in contributing will be able to purchase kilometers for Rojas. Each of the 15,574 kilometers cost ȼ2,500. Donors will be given a Rojas promotional sticker, will have their names added to a Costa Rican flag to be flown from the summit and will be invited for a chat with Rojas following his return.

Donations to the Everest campaign may be made in colones or dollars at Banco Nacional. For more information about Rojas’ story and to learn how to donate, visit www.warnerrojas.com.