Gregg Zoroya

USA TODAY Opinion

Two Iraq war veterans who lost right legs to roadside bombs aim this week to become the first combat amputees to reach the top of Mount Everest.

They are climbing the less-traveled northern route of the world's highest mountain from China and plan to summit the 29,029-foot peak Friday, weather permitting. Unpredictable conditions and deep snow could delay them, climbers say.

The two men — former Army reservist Chad Jukes, 31, and Thomas Charles "Charlie" Linville, 30, who served as a Marine sergeant — are on separate expeditions sponsored by different veterans organizations.

"I hope that by the time we have completed the climb we will be able to launch veterans issues into the national discussion," Jukes told USA TODAY from Everest. His email reply was relayed by his publicist, Amy Summers.

He is climbing with a group called U.S. Expeditions and Explorations (USX). Two other members of his team are Army officers who, if successful, would be the first active-duty American soldiers to reach the summit.

This is the first climbing season in two years for Everest. An avalanche that killed 16 Nepalese guides in 2014 and a deadly earthquake last year in Nepal led to the cancellation of those climbing seasons.

Two Iraq veterans strive to be first combat amputees to climb Everest

Army 2nd Lt. Harold Earls, a member of the USX expedition, along with Army Capt. Elyse Ping Medvigy, says their primary goal is raising awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide in the Army.

Jukes, who has worried about blood circulation and subsequent frostbite for his stump, says his limb has held up well during a lengthy period of climbing up and down the mountain, ferrying supplies and growing acclimated to the altitude.

"On this trip, I have had minor skin issues; however, through appropriate skin care and use of rest days, I've been able to mitigate any issues," he said.

Two Iraq veterans strive to be first combat amputees to climb Everest

Jukes said he met up with Linville at one point on the mountain and they discussed prosthetic technology and how each would make his separate climb. The Heroes Project, based in Los Angeles, is sponsoring the climb for Linville.

In an Instagram message from Everest Sunday, The Heroes Project team said they were "ready to tackle the mountain."

Medvigy said she has adjusted to the altitude, in part, by drinking plenty of water and eating "well-rounded meals." She said they have bonded with members of a Russian expedition and she exercises on a chin-up bar the Russians assemble during days of rest.

Earls, 23, who is the least experienced climber on his team, said the weather can change quickly and dramatically. They climbed a famous section known as the North Col, a 1,000-foot-area stretch that is a nearly vertical ice wall. The first portion of that trip, the team was baking in a clear sky. But a storm suddenly moved in during the end of their assault and Earls said he was left chilled to the bone because he wasn't wearing the proper clothing.

"The difficult part for me is the fact that I’m such a novice climber and my form totally sucks. For Chad, he’s super-efficient going up the mountain. Every step he takes is in the right direction. However, for me, I’ll be sloshing around and sliding about trying to work my way up," Earls said.