PART OF THE AUSTRALIAN MOUNT EVEREST EXPEDITION ABSEIL DOWN SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE PYLON, 2001-03-15 (photo)

Part of the Australian Tenix Everest 2001 Expedition abseil 90 metres down the southwest pylon of the Sydney Harbour bridge as a group of tourists (centre, top) finish their bridge walk March 15, 2001. A 12-man-strong team of Australian defence force climbers from the Army Alpine Association will begin their ascent of the North Ridge of Mount Everest from the Tibet side in early April after weeks of altitude acclimatisation. The team has spent three years preparing for the expedition whose major sponsor is the country's largest and most successful defence and technology contractor. WB/CP