Japanese Adventurer, 75, Leaves For Everest

Tokyo, Japan (AHN) - Adventurer Yuichiro Miura, 75, left Japan Thursday in his bid to become the oldest man to reach the summit of Mount Everest - again.

Mr. Miura previously set the record in 2003 at the age of 70 when he reached the 8850m peak. He said he felt forever young and is in good shape.

"I feel like I am in my 40s, 30s. Regardless of my age, I want to take on this challenge," he said.

Mr. Miura left for Nepal, where he will acclimatize before heading to Tibet's regional capital of Lhasa, his office said in a statement Thursday.

He expressed concerns over the violence in Tibet, where travelling is currently restricted. The Chinese mountaineering authority was still welcoming his visit, he said.

If successful, he would break the current record for Everest's oldest conqueror, made last year by another Japanese man, Katsusuke Yanagisawa, who was 71 years and 63 days at that time.

Mr. Miura is no stranger to Himalayan adventure, being a professional skier. He became famous in 1970 when he skied down the Mount Everest, the descent was captured in an Oscar-winning documentary.