Nathan settled on a bench at Tamworth's Anzac Park, beneath a cloudless summer sky, and detailed the perilous journey awaiting him as he attempts to deliver an unlikely act on a mega stage. Surprisingly, he seemed calm. In two days time, the Group 4 first-grader, 19, will fly from Sydney to Kathmandu. There, he will meet up with sherpa Batsal Norgay, the great grandson of the legendary sherpa Tenzing Norgay. On May 29, 1953, Tenzing and Sir Edmund Hillary summited Mount Everest, becoming the first people to stand atop the world's tallest mountain. Seventy years later, Nathan and Batsal will attempt to do the same. But here's the nub: Nathan has never climbed a mountain before. In fact, his only preparation for one of the world's most challenging mental and physical endurance tests has been his daily ascents of the Oxley Lookout over the past two months. Also, the duo will attempt to reach Everest's 8,848-metre peak in one month, instead of the usual two, so that Nathan does not miss too much pre-season training ahead of the coming rugby league year. And, as is customary with Batsal's expeditions, they will use the same equipment that Tenzing and Hillary used, including wood-handle pick axes, and they will wear the same '50s woolen clothes. Nathan spoke on condition of anonymity because his family does not know about the expedition (Nathan is not his real name). He said his family would try to stop his dangerous quest to realise a lifelong dream. "I know that what I'm about to attempt seems foolish to most people," he said. "But I honestly believe I can do it. "And when I reach the top of that mountain, I will of proved to myself that I can do anything if I put my mind to it. This experience will turn me into the man I always wanted to be." Speaking over the phone from Sydney, respected mountaineer Steve Hanson urged Nathan to stay home. "Summiting Everest is hard enough for experienced climbers," said Hanson, who has achieved the feat three times. "It's certainly not a place for a complete novice like Nathan. He has to stop this madness before it's too late." Adding to the drama, Hanson said Batsal was "deadset crazy". "Among the climbing community, including fellow sherpas, he's called Batshit. So, for the love of God, don't do this Nathan!"