Project
Himalaya Cho Oyu Expedition: Cho Oyu is a popular
8000m expedition peak, usually considered to be the
sixth highest on the planet and perhaps the least
difficult and least dangerous of the fourteen 8000m
peaks.
It has a neighbor, Gyachung Kang that is also a
very high peak that few people have heard about, being
a fraction under the magic 8000, and considerably more
technical to climb. Despite being considered
straightforward, all Himalayan mountains are
potentially dangerous and most years on Cho Oyu
several people get frostbite and often there is a
death or two. Our aim is to make sure we have no
incidents.
Hugo
Searle: Arsenal supporter (UK football club for you
unedimacated yanks) who works with inner city kids in
Minneapolis, marriage may be more appealing than warm
bitter. Strong and intimidating with a #1 cut and tall
enough to have caught every door frame in Tibet.
Bill
Miller: An adventure sports and environmental
freelance videographer whose assignments have included
Discovery channel and the History Channel projects. He
loves the outdoors but this is his first break without
a camera for many years. Some choice of holiday.
Powerfully built, he is squat enough to have missed
every doorframe in Tibet.
Bill
Lhotta: Should be a member of Gearheads Anonymous.
Bill initially planned his own Shishapangma expedition
but with only Steve committing, decided our expedition
could work too. He has trained the hardest of anyone
and lives at 2000m, a distinct advantage.
Steve
Lipsher: Is he really a movie star? No mustache says
he is dreaming. Looking at his almost scrawny frame
you might be just as surprised to find he is a
mountaineer. His second job is a wordsmith for the
Denver Post, so he has some natural altitude advantage
too. Has been dragged on many training missions by
Bill.
Betsy
Enderlin: Bill Lhotta's other training partner in more
ways than one; they are engaged. She's a teacher by
trade and Bill is as tough a class as they come.
Assuming she can overcome her usual 14,000ft headache
she will join us for the ABC Puja then return to Nepal
to trek around the Annapurna Circuit.
Bengt
Lillvik: Has the chance to be the first Finnish man to
summit Cho Oyu, but it was Ms Hawley who told us this,
he is far too modest to mention it himself. He
previously worked on hydro project in Nepal and speaks
Nepali, and was surprised to find that he had
previously trekked over the Tashi Labtsa with Pasang
in 1995.
Peter
Banai: A Hungarian with a wry sense of humor, he is
warming up for an Everest expedition. He has joined us
for base camp and ABC services and will climb higher
independently.
P
Pasang: Fearless climbing Sherpa who has summitted Cho
Oyu three times and many other mountains. He is
goal-driven but cares for his staff and has friends
everywhere. After many years of climbing for money he
really enjoys technical challenges now after having
taken an advanced climbing course where he learnt to
belay and place protection safely.
Dendi:
A likeable scoundrel, strong and hard-working and has
worked with Pasang many times, including on
Shishapangma in 2000.
Namgyal:
Hard-working expedition cook with a winning smile.
Despite his diminutive stature he is keen to carry a
few loads and really wants to summit as well. He has
just returned from a Tharpu Chuli (Tent Peak)
expedition with Pasang.
Jamie
McGuinness: Expedition organizer and perpetually busy
Kathmandu socialite, whose enthusiasm has resulted in
a self managed expedition business, trekking guide
books and enough Nepali to play sirdar on exploratory
treks. Explore Himalaya Travel & Adventure P.O.B.
4902 Durbar Marg, Kathmandu Nepal. Ph: 977 1 252990,
227863
Fax: 977 1 252115 Email: adventur@mos.com.np
Site: explore-himalaya.com
For
other Cho Oyu 2001 Expeditions and News see here.
