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Climb K2? Yes, but only in good time.
The Straits Times - 23 May 2001
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I REFER to Mr Khoo Teng Siong's letter, "Challenge of the ultimate adventure" (ST, May 19). Adventurers are drawn by challenges - the tougher the challenge, he greater the pull. And K2 is one of the toughest challenges in high-altitude mountaineering.

I believe it will be climbed by Singapore's mountaineers one day, but not yet. Picking up Mr Khoo's gauntlet is easy, but knowing when to do it is the measure of the climber's maturity and understanding of what it takes.

I am not saying his point is invalid. Indeed, I support it, and would take it a step further. I would like to see Singapore climbers make the ascent without supplementary oxygen, alpine-style, which means without pre-built camps, no food cache laid en route, but carrying everything on their backs themselves.

However, it is important that we understand the process towards this lofty height. Firstly, there are no guided groups up K2. Any team planning the ascent has to do it on its own.

Secondly, K2 demands a higher-than-normal level of aerobic and anaerobic fitness for the sustained period of the climb. Fitness is also linked to how well-acclimatised the climber is to high altitude. The ability to perform physically at high altitude is, thus crucial.

Thirdly, K2 climbers will also need experience and competency in technical snow, ice and rock climbing. Many of the mountain's routes are difficult, riddled with a mixed terrain of snow, ice and rock, and often at steep gradient.

The mixed nature of the terrain demands far more experience and skills than non-mixed routes. Finally, a climber has to be mentally fit. The tougher the challenge, the greater is the need for mental toughness.

It is probably the single most important quality of a climber that could take him beyond his physical limits. Working towards such peak physical and mental condition takes a long time and a lot of training.

We have made good progress since 1994 when Singapore climbers progressively scaled mountains from 6,000 m in 1995 to 7,000 m in 1996 to8,000 m in 1997, and eventually to 8,848 m, which is the height of Mount Everest, in 1998. Each expedition added a notch to our standards of mountaineering.

The current Everest Expedition using the North Col route is another example of climbers attempting a more difficult route on the world's highest mountain - a step in the right direction towards a higher standard of climbing.

Next year, a group of us will be attempting a climb up Tibet's 8,027m Mount Xixabangma without oxygen, pre-built camps, and help of climbing sherpas. This has yet to be attempted by Singaporeans.

By raising the standards of mountaineering in Singapore, I am confident that local mountaineers would be more competent to take on greater challenges. Take on K2 we must. But in good time.

Dr Robert Goh
Leader, Xixabangma Expedition 2002
Co-Leader,Singapore Antarctica Expedition 2000
Climber, Everest Expedition 1998.