Nathan Longman becomes second Tasmanian to summit Mount Everest

A former Glenorchy premiership player has become the second Tasmanian to achieve something only two locals have done. FULL STORY >>

A former Glenorchy premiership player has achieved the feat of summiting Mount Everest, filling his friends and family with pride in the process.

It’s understood Mr Longman is the first Tasmanian-born person to reach the top of the legendary peak - which is the tallest mountain above sea level in the world - after Hobart resident John Zeckendorf climbed it in 2017.

Mr Longman made it to the summit of the 8848m mountain on Monday night Australian time.

His long-time mate, Jamie Round, said Mr Longman had overcome a knee injury to achieve his goal, engaging a personal trainer to help get him in tip-top shape for the epic journey.

A composite image of Nathan Longman posted by his sister Gerladine Tassell on Facebook the day after he became the second Tasmanian to summit Mount Everest. Picture: Supplied/Facebook

“This is a big deal and a huge achievement for him,” Mr Round told the Mercury.

“He’s always had a fascination with (Mount Everest).

“And he’s always been reasonably fit but he did his knee, I think it was a meniscus. So he kind of had to get himself back in shape a bit.”

Mr Round said it was a “huge” financial commitment to attempt to conquer Everest and that Mr Longman, a father of four, had embarked on a brutal training regimen in the lead-up to the ascent.

“He was going bushwalking (in Tasmania) and he started climbing lots of the mountains around (the state) to start with. And the passion grew,” he said.

“Every other weekend, he was off climbing some mountain on his own and in ridiculous times. What would usually take three days, he’d just go and try to do it in one.”

Nathan Longman of Glenorchy and his Hobart Demon opponent contest the ball at KGV in 2000.

Four people died climbing Mount Everest in the spring season last year, while 24 died in 2019.

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