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Everest
2000 Coverage: One of several questions concerning Everest 2000 was
the Korean Summits. For some reason there was confusion on when (and if) they reached the
Summit of Everest. At one point it was stated that they were there
first, and then that was later changed. It was a mess in simple terms. Others stated that
they did not see the Koreans on the Summit. So EverestNews.com asked Korean
climber Heon Ju, Park, to tell us what happened: Here are his words,
note English is not his language and we do not want to change the meanings,
therefore we left much as is. We think you will be able to figure it out ! "We (me
and Mr., mo) started from Camp 4 (southcol) at 0 hour 30 minute, 16th May.
Another team (British and Spain...) started more faster than me. Maybe 1 hour
faster. We have no Sherpa because our team tried to summit 3 times already
so all Sherpa exhausted after hard working. We met another team on balcony
4:30 hour am. Another team climb up very slowly, so we passed by some
climbers. 3 or 5 persons when back to the camp 4. Maybe we arrived on southpeak
at 9 o'clock am. Another team almost arrived at the same time. I don't know which
team arrived first on southpeak. I can remember another team's two Sherpa was
first. Some person back to Camp 4 additionally. All member and Sherpa
rested in southpeak for half hour maybe. Because from southpeak to summit was
knife ridge. I remember British two Sherpa (Jangbu and Pemba) went up first making rope and then British team and Spanish team and me and Mr. mo is last. We
was very good condition and no tired so not hurry. We met another
team at the Hillary step. Hillary step going up every team get mixed because
of a very
tired member went up slowly. We arrived summit 10:50 am. At that time some
person is on the top and some member downside. I think the 3 teams
reached on the top at the same time. Just only 10 or 30 second difference. So
not important which team is more faster. I think 4 British members with 2 Sherpa
and 2 Spanish with 2 Sherpa and 2 Korean summit at the same time. Because all
teams were climbing together same likes one team. It is sure Jangbu and
Pemba Sherpa was first on the top.
Another team went down at 11:30 am maybe (British is first Spanish is second). We
went down at 1o'clock pm. We stayed 70 minutes on the top. The top's weather was
snow cloudy so we waited good panorama. We have power enough. We passed by Spanish
team at southpeak. One Spanish member very tired. We arrived at Camp 4
at 3:30 pm 16, May, and we went down directly arrived in camp 2 (6400 meters)
arriving at 6:30
pm, 16 May. We have the picture. You can see the picture in my office's
homepage. I works in local newspaper. My job is reporter."
"I stand
on summit with Korea national flag 10:50 am,16th may, 2000." Heon Ju Park
Click on the picture !
If you look closely at the picture you will see what appears to be the top of
a shovel that was left on Everest in 1999. Therefore, EverestNews.com has added
these two summits to our list without dispute. We found Mr. Park very
cooperative and kind.
Update: After reviewing several Summit pictures from Everest Spring 2000,
EverestNews.com opinion is the climber, in the above picture, is at the Summit
of Everest.
