The Germans and the Austrians: Chomolungma by fair means without oxygen.
In the German/Austrian tradition
these climbers will attempt Everest from the North without oxygen and by fair means. The
climbers are Bastel Haller, Gustav Weinberger, Dr, Jurgen Zapf, Barbara Hirschbichler,
Rudi Roozen, Georg Simair, and Mag. Thomas Lammie. They will not have a sat phone but
hopefully might get a few messages to us. They kindly faxed us their very nice materials,
but frankly since no one on the Staff knows German, we are in the dark....
Seriously, we have spoken with
Bastel on several occasions, and this will be a good team on Everest climbing "by
fair means". If we knew German we would tell you more...
Editorial Comment: EverestNews.com
reports the News. EverestNews.com does not recommend climbs, guiding companies nor how to
climb. We find some more appealing than others, but we try very hard to stay in the
middle. On the Summit issue, every
climber knows what the Summit is. No
one should attempt a Summit they are not prepared for, nor should they go on "to bag
a peak" in our opinion. The climb, the journey, the spirit should be what
it is all about. However, a
climber should not state that he or she has been to the Summit when clearly they know he
or she has not been. Yes, sadly this is a problem. But we think in the years to come it will be harder to claim
false Summits. Will they ever understand, they are only cheating themselves ?
Jagged Globe, Featured Expedition
EverestNews.com will feature full
dispatches from Jagged Globe in Spring 2000. Jagged Globe was founded by Steve Bell.
Steve has more than 20 years of mountaineering experience including winter ascents of the
north faces of the Eiger and Matterhorn. He claims "Britain's first guided expedition
to an 8,000m peak and was the first Briton to lead clients to the summit of Everest."
He has climbed all of the continental summits and is a fully qualified UIAGM mountain
guide. Steve and Jagged Globe are known as one of the best guiding companies in the world.
Some think the Best.
This year's expedition will be lead
by an Australian guide, Andrew Lock (having been on two previous Everest expeditions and
reached the Summit of K2), supported
by Tim Bird. Tim has led expeditions for Jagged Globe for many years including
successful trips to Elbrus, Stok Kangri, Mera and Island Peak, Aconcagua and Gasherbrum
II. A highly regarded professional instructor (MIC), Tim directs their Scottish Winter
Courses, and provides their UK technical support for training and advice to all their
group expeditions licensed through the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority. They are
using the same Sherpa team as last year.
This is another international team,
comprising: Jack Culley (UK), Joe Wolf (USA), Jeff Magee (UK), David Spencer (UK),
Curt Peterson (USA), Timothy Gregg (USA) , Paul Giorgio (USA). Joe Wolf hopes to complete
his 7 Summits and to to be the oldest summiter this season - he's 61 in March! Simon
Lowe, one of their most experienced leaders having led successful expeditions to
Everest. Simon is Jagged Globe's Operations Director.
First Dispatch: This is the first report from the Jagged Globe 2000
Everest Expedition. The team members have been gathering over the last three days here in
Nepal. With the exception of Andy Lock all the team is now here at the Summit Hotel in
Katmandu. We've had a busy few days in preparation for tomorrow's 5am departure for Lukla
and onto Base Camp.
The outline programme for our trek
to BC is as follows:
26-Mar Lukla to Phakdig
27-Mar Namche
28-Mar Namche
29-Mar Khumjung
30-Mar Pangbouche
1-Apr Dingbouche
2-Apr Dingbouche
3-Apr Chukkum ri
4-Apr Rest/Spare day
5-Apr Lobuje
6-Apr Gorak Shep
7-Apr BC
Our next dispatch will not be until we get to Namche. Our love, best wishes and thanks to
family, friends & sponsors who have got us to Nepal. Tim Bird, Deputy Leader
Current Status: The CEE2000 team is
interviewed by legendary Everest journalist Elizabeth Hawley !
"For Everest it's the busiest
year, busiest season ever," Hawley said. That's because many climbers attach a
significance to reaching the summit in 2000 and have sponsors who have been more generous
than in previous years. This year,
Hawley will meet 26 teams headed for the south summit in Nepal, and 22 others wanting to
take on the North Summit, in Tibet.
March 27, 2000 Namche Bazaar: Today
was a rest and acclimatization day at Namche. I woke up at 5:30 to go to a high point in
the village that gives the best view of Mt. Everest and snap some picture. Sagarmatha
appeared to be quite calm and if we were in camp 4 it would have been a good summit day!
But we are far from it. After a big breakfast I took a hike up to 12500 feet above
Namche where I ran into an Armenian climber -- Hrair Ray Yeritsian -- who is climbing with
his partner an Austrian climber -- Rolf Widerhofer . We had a long conversation over a cup
of milk tea in a tea house and exchanged previous climbing experiences. By one o'clock
heavy clouds moved in and it started snowing. I made a fast descent to Namche to the
safety of the lodge and had a big lunch which was yak steak and potatoes. It continued
snowing all afternoon with little accumulation. I will be going to Thyangboche tomorrow
which is about 5 hours away and about 900 feet higher. My health is very good and well
rested and I have been eating like a horse...
Three Dutch Climbers Frits
Vrijlandt, Steven Le Poole, and Joke Groenendaal:
Frits Vrijlandt and Steven Le
Poole, will attempt to climb Everest via the North ridge. When they succeed, they will be
the first Dutchmen to do so. Joke will keep you updated. They has a new major
sponsor and are now the Essent@Home Everest Expedition
Current Status: The Essent@Home Everest Expedition left for
Kathmandu last Friday. Frits, Steven and Joke together with cameraman Tjitte de Wert have
arrived in Kathmandu. The first week they will be trekking in the Kathmandu region to
acclimatize and they will also meet the UK members of the expedition.
