Without
our sponsors, you wouldn't see this site, please visit our
sponsors.
Mike
Bearzi has passed away in Tibet
Mr.
Michael Anthony Bearzi died on 12th
May, 2002 in an accident on the attempt to climb Mt
Gyachung Kang (7952m) by falling down from height of
7264m. Mr. Michael Anthony Bearzi along with Mr. Bruce
Miller and Namgyal Sherpa left Kathmandu on 9th of
April, 2002 to climb the reclusive and untouched NE
Face, the secret Face of Gyachung Kang.
Gyachung
Kang is believed to be at least 7952 meters (26,085
feet) in height, and is regarded as the 15th highest
peak in the world, the highest 7,000 meter peak. Their
side mission was to resolve the mystery of the height
of Gyachung Kang for which they carried a precision
lightweight handheld GPS unit with them for the
summit.
They
were climbing alpine style single push, no fixed
camps, no support team. This realm of first ascents
done alpine style on the big peaks above 7500 m
(24,600 ft.) is a virtual "blank spot on the
map" in American mountaineering. As recipients of
the Polartec Challenge Grant, Mugs Stump Grant, and
the American Alpine Club's Lyman Spitzer Grant, their
project had received international endorsement.
Their
approach to Gyachung Kang in early April took them
from Kathmandu to the Rongbuk Monastery below the
North Face of Mt. Everest, then onwards with a small
team of Tibetans and yaks up the unknown reaches of
the Qutar Glacier to their isolated Base Camp at 5,700
m (18,700 ft.), home for the next six weeks. They were
a small group of four with only a Sherpa and Tibetan
helper to run their Base Camp.
Whereabouts
of Mr. Bruce Miller and Namgyal Sherpa after the
accident is not yet available at the moment but China
Tibet Mountaineering Association believes that the
remaining team are still heading for the summit of Mt.
Gyachung Kang.
Explore
Himalaya, the local agent who handled the expedition
of Mike Bearzi and his team express deep sorrow and
heartfelt condolence at the loss of our friend and
pray to the almighty god to grant the departed soul of
Mr. Bearzi eternal peace and happiness.
Background
information on
Gyachung Kang:
North
Face - Slovene Route of Gyachung Kang has been
reported as Summitted in AAJ 2000 Vol.
42 Issue: 74 pages 75-85. Gyachung Kang
7952m 26088ft 28o 5' 53"
86o 44' 31"
First
summitted was in 1964 from Ngojumba glacier.
No reports of even attempts from the North East side.
