16
April 2002
First Update From Advanced Base Camp - Xixabangma Expedition
2002
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Singapore
- 16 April 2002 - After
more than three weeks since departing Singapore for the first
Southeast Asian attempt of Alpine style, the Singapore Xixabangma
Expedition 2002 team has finally arrived at Xixabangma Advanced
Base Camp.
The team had spent over a week acclimatizing
at a high pass at 4,660m in Nepal before taking an overland
journey to the Tibetan border (Mt Kinabalu is 4000m). From
there, the team was driven overland in a four-wheeler to the
Xixabangma Base Camp. This is situated on a vast plateau at
5,000m with a magnificent view of Mount Xixabangma.
The team spent six days at Base Camp acclimatizing
to the altitude and organizing transportation of their gear
by yaks. The weather there was good. In some mornings, it
was warm enough for the team to sunbath for an hour. On 8
April, the entire party including two climbing sherpas, a
cook, a Tibetan helper, 13 yaks and four yak drivers encountered
bad
weather as they set out for the two-day trek to Advance Base
Camp. The snow was too deep for the yaks to walk and hence
a delay with freezing temperatures. They arrived at the intermediate
camp amidst heavy snow and high winds. They had to stay put
for three nights there instead of one, and were able to arrive
at Advanced Base Camp only on Thursday (11 April).
On the morning of Monday, 15 April, their
sherpas performed the pujar (a ceremony to appease the mountain
gods before climbing). Team members took part in the ceremony
which included chanting of prayers and offering of drinks
and food on the altar made with rocks. The team hopes to start
the ten to twelve-day acclimatization climb today (Tuesday,
16 April). During this time, they will stay up in the mountain
as high as 7,300m to get used to the altitude. This is the
most important part of their training.
They will then return to Advanced Base
Camp to rest for four to five days. Then, weather permitting,
they plan to make their summit bid which will take six days
(expected to be early or mid May).
Note to Editors:
The Xixabangma Expedition 2002 team is available for phone
interviews via satellite phone. Please contact Angelina Ong
at 6825 8031 or 987855 233 if you are interested in an interview.
About Xixabangma
Expedition 2002
The Singapore Xixabangma Expedition from March to May 2002
aims to push the limits of high altitude mountaineering. The
team plans to climb into the death zone (8,000m) without using
supplementary oxygen and without depending on pre-built camps,
a style known as the Alpine Ascent.
The aims of the Expedition in climbing
Xixabangma are:
To push the limits of mountaineering
in Singapore
To increase awareness and broaden the
scope of high altitude mountaineering
To promote a healthy and balanced lifestyle
The Expedition is endorsed by:
Singapore Mountaineering Federation
Singapore Sports Council and the National
Youth Council
To date, the sponsors of the Expedition
include:
Singapore Pools
Singapore Power
NTUC Income
Singapore Sports Council, Timberland
GlaxoSmithKline
Weber Shandwick Singapore
Safra
National Computer Systems
DSO National Laboratories
NERA Telecommunications
Siemens Showa Solar
FotoHub
WL Gore
Xantic and Zen Vision (Oakley products).
This project is also made possible by a
Youth Development Fund grant from the National Youth Council.
——————————————————————————————— For further information:
Angelina Ong Weber Shandwick Worldwide, Singapore
Tel: 825 8031
Fax: 720 8102
Email: aong@webershandwick.com
