[News Clippings] [Press Releases] [Speeches]

News Clippings
Race against time, bad weather for Mt Xixabangma team

News 8 - 12 May 2002 [6.30pm]
News 5 - 12 May 2002 [9.30pm]
Channel Newsasia "Singapore Tonight" - 12 May 2002 [10pm]
Channel Newsasia "Morning News" - 13 May 2002 [7.30am ]
By Asha Popatlal

[BACK]

It has become a race against time and bad weather for the Singapore team that is trying to climb Mount Xixabangma in Tibet alpine style, without pre-laid ropes and camps or sherpas. They set off on Sunday for their first summit bid, amidst some setbacks.

At least 10 international teams have been waiting to make their summit bid of the mountain, and so far, none have succeeded. But, a break in the weather means the Singapore team is now ready to leave Advanced Base Camp for the summit.

When asked what would happen if they did not make it, Dr Robert Goh, Expedition Team Leader, speaking to Channel NewsAsia in a videophone interview, said, "We have 1 more window till the end of May. And if we don't make it next time, depending on whether it's the end of the season, we'll give it another try."

But the persistent bad weather has already injured a member of the Singapore team. Mok Ying Jang, who is suffering from cold-induced asthma, had a coughing fit so severe that it cracked both sides of his rib. When asked how a much smaller team would affect their chances, Dr Goh said, "Changes in teams are always happening during expeditions. This was planned for. "The other thing is safety. Of course, 3 on a single rope is always safer than 2, when one falls on a slope."

The earliest the team is expected to hit the summit, if all goes well, is Thursday.