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Kangchenjunga 8586m
Spring 2003 (current member update at the end)
1. Time: This will be
a Spring Expedition. Plan your arrival to Kathmandu
for on or before 23rd March 2003, and your return for
on or after 8th June 2003.
2. Route: The
Expedition will attempt the original route of the
British first ascent on the South Face. The main
technical difficulties will consist of moderate angle
snow slopes from Base Camp (5300m) to Camp I on top of
the "Hump" at 6000m, a higher angle ice wall between
Camp II and Camp III and some steep ground just below
Camp III, just below the "Great Shelf. We will fix
rope in these difficult areas.
3.Team: The team will
consist of a maximum of 12 climbers. Members should be
strong, fit alpine climbers, comfortable with glacial
travel, snow and ice climbing to Grade 3+, and
successful experience acclimatizing at altitudes of
7000m or greater.
4.Type of Expedition;
This is a non-commercial and non-guided expedition. There
will be no climbing Sherpas or porters above base
camp. There will be no bottled oxygen. All
members will be expected to be proficient and
competent alpine climbers with sufficient skills and
experience to take care of themselves in camp and on
the hill. All members will be expected to participate
and share in load carrying and establishing camps.
The opportunity exists for all members with sufficient
skills to assist in establishing and fixing the
route.
5. Cost: The cost
will be $8500 U.S. per person. This price reflects the
non-guided, non-commercial nature of the climb. Youre
not a client; youre a team member. A $1500
deposit is required to secure a position with the
expedition. Positions will be given on a first come,
first serve basis to qualified climbers. All costing
is done on a group basis, if for any reason you do not
travel and stay with the group additional costs may be
involved that will be your individual responsibility.
6. Whats Included:
The climbing permit, round trip transport between
Kathmandu and base camp, tents, porterage for 30kg of
personal kit, meals for the trek; base camp tents,
food, group medical kit and all other base camp
essentials; hill tents, stoves, gas, hill food, ropes
and hardware.
7.Whats Not
Included: Round trip airfares to and from Kathmandu;
accommodation and food in Kathmandu; visa costs;
alcohol or other bottled beverages; personal kit;
staff tips and rescue costs each member will have to
provide proof of rescue insurance.
8. Logistics: We will
drive with our kit from Kathmandu to Taplejung. From
here it is approximately 10 days walk to Kangchenjunga
base camp. We will establish base camp at 5300m and
plan on putting in four camps on the mountain at
approx. 6000m, 6000m, 7000m and 7900m. The permit
will expire on May 31st but we hope to summit by
mid-May or earlier.
9. Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Kathmandu March 23rd
Day 2-3 Free
time in Kathmandu while visas are obtained or pitch in
to help sort food, gear, and get last minute supplies.
Day 3-4
Overnight bus to Taplejung
Day 5-15 Trek
to Base Camp.
Day 15-61 Climb
Kangchenjunga (April 5th May 31st).
Day 61-66 Trek
to Taplejung and return to Kathmandu on June 6th.
This is an
approximate itinerary. There are any number of things
that could result in changes to the program. Travel
in these regions requires flexibility and patience.
We are likely to summit before the climbing permit
runs out on May 31st, in which case we will return to
Kathmandu earlier.
10. Further
Information: If you have interest but would like
further information or have questions, please contact
me: GARY PFISTERER
If you need a contact
for Gary, let us know.
Also Note: Climbing
can kill you. Climbing and mountaineering are very
dangerous activities that can result in serious injury
and death.
Current Members: GARY
PFISTERER, Tony Tonsing from the USA Paul Walters from
Vancouver, Roland Hunter from BC,
Frits Vrijlandt from Netherlands and Mick Parker
from Australia.
Follow along here.
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