Australian Army 'assault on Everest'
The High Himalayas present many challenges for man and machine and when three members of the Australian Army Alpine Association team made it to the top on the 25th of May, 2001, Opentec was there with them, successfuly dealing with those challenges.
While the AAAA team weren't the first climbers to the top, the AAAA's Opentec rugged notebook was the first rugged portable computer to make it up the slopes in a 'mission critical' support role, and to survive!
"Everest is one of the most extreme environments that man or machine can ever endure. The Openfire Rugged Portable Computer performed continuously for three months, keeping us in contact with the rest of the world," commented Major Zac Zaharias, leader of the 2001 Australian Army Alpine Association assault on Everest. "The Openfire RPCs are used by the Australian Army in predominantly hot, humid and dusty conditions. We tested them in the opposite type of climate."
With features such as pre-heaters to ensure hard drives don't seize when booted, and sealed chassis to prevent moisture entering, the Opentec, it's little surprise they were chosen and survived the assault.
Comments courtesy:
Zac Zaharias, Major
Leader, 2001 Everest Expedition
Australian Army Alpine Association
(15 June 2001)
