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For 2001 News and expedition coverage go here.

EverestNews.com is working with nine of the eleven expeditions (the first nine) listed here in one form or another to bring You News from Everest this year. EverestNews.com was unable to contact Groan Kropp before he left, so EverestNews.com does not have a relationship with his expedition.

1.) OTT Everest Expeditions with lead climber Jon Tinker has two full permits.

OTT Expeditions has two permits for Everest South Side in 1999. OTT's guides include Jon Tinker, Willie Benegas, Mike Smith, Nick Kekus and Martin Doyle. Martin Doyle runs their runs Plas y Brenin, their National Mountain School. Willie runs many of OTT's South American climbs and is a very highly regarded American climber, who also is a member of the North Face team. Jon Tinker, Mike Smith, Nick Kekus have all reached the Summit of Everest previously. This is expected to be a very large expedition with many Sherpa support climbers also. OTT has one of the most successful expeditions companies on Everest and in the world of climbing. Some climbers are expected to be guided, others will be climbing independently. Check out the OTT web site for some great Everest summit photos  http://www.ottexpeditions.co.uk/everest.htm

Katja Staartjes was a member of the OTT expedition that reached the summit in Spring 99. Her website is:  http://www.peijnenburg.nl/right/expeditie.htm. She climbed Cho Oyu last spring in an all Dutch expedition, led by Rene de Bos. She became the first Dutch woman to Summit Everest in Spring 99. Katja, is presently finishing her New book, then hopefully you will see her on EverestNews.com in a Q&A. Check her out http://www.peijnenburg.nl/right/expeditie.htm

Climbers (Guides above): Katja Staartes  (Holland), Jamie Everett (British - gone home early), Mike Matthews (British), Chris Brown (British), John Crellin (British), Peter Shin (USA), Peter Fielding (USA), Mike Richardson (USA), Kin-Man Chung (Hong Kong), Denis Brown (Canada), Dave Rodney (Canada), and two other climbers sharing their permit.

2.) 1999 Expedition Everest: Bernard Voyer

Bernard Voyer will be one of the several other expeditions sending EverestNews.com reports this year from Everest. Bernard's wife (Nathalie) will be at BC during the climb. His web site details some of his other climbs: Bernard Voyer Everest Expedition.  His web site is in French and some parts in English. See below for more on Bernard and check his web site for all the details on Bernard and the dispatches in French.

His second attempt at climbing Everest. "This time I will be trying my luck in the spring, for statistics show that the window of good weather is better at this time of year. We'll see. My team is very small. Nathalie will be with me, of course, and as she did last time she will be spending her days handling communications, photos, films and so on. It's so important that she be nearby to share every moment. My climbing partner is Dorjee Fulelee Sherpa. We met during my first attempt, when we often climbed together. We have been corresponding regularly since 1997. I have a great deal of admiration for him. He is a highly experienced climber, a sensible fellow, a friend. The other members of the team are the cook and a friend of Dorjee's. There are lots of teams at the base camp, many more climbers than in 1997. My route remains the same, that is up the Nepalese face with a base camp and four high-altitude camps. It's reassuring to know most of the route already, but the unexpected is still the greatest danger. Once again, many companies are supporting me. I thank you all. Every expedition calls for enormous precision and meticulous preparation. Everything counts, right down to the smallest detail. It may be light, but it all adds up to 200 kilos of essential equipment! It is as though all of you, sponsors, suppliers and partners, have each contributed a section of rope; together, all these bits of rope will form one long one, connecting the base camp to the summit. That summit has never left my mind since I first saw it. But just reaching the top is not enough. I have to make it there and then back. I am keeping a spot in my backpack for something intangible: a taste for life. In a few weeks, far above the clouds, I will be filled with wonder... once again."  Best regards, Bernard Voyer

Bernard, purchased a slot on Goran Kropp permit, but is not part of that expedition to our knowledge.

3.) HKE Jagged Globe: The team is: David Hamilton (Leader, UK), Joby Ogwyn (USA), Jaime Vinals  (Guatamala), Karl Flynn (Ireland), and Marcella Dunne (Ireland).  Simon Lowe is the Operations Director and he will be overseeing the expedition from the UK. HKE Jagged Globe new web site is http://www.hkexpeds.demon.co.uk/index.html.  HKE Jagged Globe is sharing Henry Todd's permit. 

4.) 1999 Everest Expedition: Enrique Guallart-Furio http://ww2.encis.es/avent/

Enrique Guallart-Furio, his sherpas, Ang Dorjee Sherpa (Sirdar), Tensing Sherpa, Banadur Tamang, Ngawang Nuru Sherpa.

5.) 1999 International Everest Spring Expedition

Members: Tommy Heinrich (Argentina, the first Argentinean to summit Everest in 1995, Michael Strynoe (Danish, 35, his second attempt on Everest, if you recall he was on Everest in Spring 98), The Swedish couple back after several times: Sjogren, Inaki Ochoa (Spain, 31), Heidi Howkins, who has reached the Summit of Gasherbrum II.  Christian Binggeli (Switzerland), Robert Model (USA). Babu Chirri Sherpa, Dawa Sherpa, Kaii Sherpa, Danu Sherpa, Dawa Temba, Gyalgen Sherpa, Nima Sherpa, Tendi Sherpa and Pasang Sherpa.

Babu is also supporting the following climbers: 

Mexican climbers Hugo Rodriguez (Barroso), Carlos Guevara (Pereda), and Luis Javier are also sharing this permit. Their web site is http://www.telecommex.com/everest_ico

Michael Strynoe web site is: http://sporten.tv2.dk/everest.

Tommy Heinrich has left the expedition after an accident in BC.

6.) Pokhara Sagarmatha Climbing Campaign: Arbin Timilsina 15 years old climber.

Pokhara Sagarmatha Climbing Campaign: Arbin Timilsina is the 15 years boy who is going to attempt to Summit  Everest this Spring. The three climbing sherpas who will support him during his climbing are Ang Gyalgen Sherpa, sirdar (Three Summits of Everest), Ang Mingma Sherpa (One Summit) and Phurba Sherpa and Pasang Sona Sherpa (cook). All Sherpa work for Asian-Trekking, who is handling this expedition.

7.) High Adventure Everest 1999 Expedition: Mike Trueman, this is Mike's third attempt on Everest. In 1996 he gave up his attempt on the South Pillar to give assistance to the other climbers. In 1997, he gave up his attempt when his expedition leader Mal Duff died and he assumed the leader role of the expedition.

8.) Asian-Trekking South Side 99 Expedition: "Caucasus 99". This "expedition" could be described as three different expeditions. However, all climbers are on the same permit (Asian-Trekking) and will be sharing some facilities, therefore we left them together, but show the breakdown.

a.) Benedict Kashakavili (Georgian) Leader, Bidzina Gujabidze (Georgian), Afi Gigani (Georgian), Saridan Mursagulov (Arebaijanian), and Lev Sarkisov (Armenian).

The Georgian climbers are expected to act as their own expedition having their own sherpa support team of seven. Sherpa: Lhakpa Dorje Sherpa (H.A. Climbing Sherpa) , Chewang Dorjee Sherpa  (H.A. Climbing Sherpa), Nawang Tenzing Sherpa (H.A. Climbing Sherpa), Pemba Nuru Sherpa (H.A. Climbing Sherpa), Nuri Sherpa (cook), and Gyalje Sherpa (kitchen boy).

Older News:

Asian-Trekking has confirmed that they will have a South Side expedition (in addition to the Pokhara Sagarmatha Climbing Campaign) in Spring 99. Their South Side expedition is being headed by Benedict  Kashakashvili.  Ang Tshering Sherpa Managing Director of Asian-Trekking, tells EverestNews.com, "We have a Georgian Leader leading both of our expeditions, from North Side and South Side. The one leading the expedition on the North Side with Mr. Barth (American) is Tortladze Gia. The other one leading the expedition on the South Side is Benedict Kashakashvili. The expedition led by Benedict Kashkashvili took a flight to Lukla this morning (25th March) on its way to the Everest Base Camp. Arvin Timilsina (Pokhara Sagarmatha Climbing Campaign) is scheduled to take a flight to Lukla on 27th March on his way to Everest Base Camp. Sincerely, Ang Tshering Sherpa Managing Director Asian-Trekking"

Another member of the Asian-Trekking expedition is Lev Sarkisov. Lev is an ethnic Armenian from Georgia, who if successful will become the oldest person to summit Everest beating  the record of Spaniard Ramon Blanco who reached the summit when he was 60 years, 160 days old in 1993. Lev, who will be 60 years and 149 days old on May 1. Lev will be climbing with the Georgian expedition (above) led by Benedict Kashakashvili along the normal Southeast Ridge route. Source: Asian-Trekking.

b.) Ken Noguchi (Japan) having six support Sherpa is also expected to act as his own expedition. Sherpa: Krishna Tamang (H.A. Climbing Sherpa), Nima Wanchu Sherpa (H.A. Climbing Sherpa), Nawang Wanchu Sherpa (H.A. Climbing Sherpa), Dawa Tsheri Sherpa (H.A. Climbing Sherpa), Pemba Sherpa (cook) and Jang Bahadur Tamang (kitchen boy).

c.) Elsa Carsolio:

EverestNews.com has confirmed that Elsa Carsolio wife of Carlos Carsolio (Mexican climber) is attempting the Summit of Everest this spring. Carlos, of course is one of the greatest climbers in the world, being the fourth climber to reach the Summit of each of the 14 8000 meter peaks, many on difficult routes and seasons. Elsa is a climber on this Asian-Trekking organized Everest Expedition "Caucasus 99". This is a non-guided expedition.

9.) H.G. Everest Expedition: Henry Todd's Expedition, this expedition includes guide Andy Lapkis (US), George David Mellor, Ray Brown, Laurie Medina (US) Graham Ratcliffe, who will be reporting for the BBC, and Mike Trueman. Graham is the British climber who is attempting to be the first UK climber to Summit Everest from both the North and South Sides. Graham and Mike (plus others) will be climbing independently but sharing base camp facilities. All climbers have been over 8000 meters before.

Laurie is a very strong US climber, who many believe is on the way up. Keep an eye on Laurie !

10.) Swedish Mt. Everest Cleaning Expedition, leader Goran Kropp.

Swedish Mt. Everest Cleaning Expedition, leader Goran Kropp: Expedition team members are: Goran Kropp, Renata Chlumska (who has previously climbed Shisha Pangma, the highest a Swedish woman has climbed), Ola Hillberg (who has several Himalayan expeditions behind him) , Janne Joneus (a cameraman who is planning to go to the top), Staffan Heimersson (a journalist) and Niclas Lovfelt (is basecamp manager and responsible for the communications). Our sources in Nepal tells EverestNews.com that   Heimersson and Lovfelt are not on the permit and therefore not permitted to climb above base camp.

Renata Chlumska, is Gφran Kropp's girlfriend who is planning an attempt on Everest from the South Side this Spring, as reported earlier by EverestNews.com. 

If successful, Renata Chlumska would be the first Swedish woman to ascent to the top of Everest.

11.) 1999 American Everest Expedition, leader Pete Athans, 5 members.

Pete Athans, Charles Corfield, Bill Crouse, and Jeff and Kelly Rhoads. Jeff summitted Everest twice last Spring from the South Side, reportedly becoming the first non-nepalese climber to summit Everest two times in the same season. Last Spring Jeff was the camera man on Tom Whittaker's expedition. Jeff first summitted Everest on the May 20th and then again on May 27th with Tom. 

12.) Two other climbers who do not wish to have their names in the press.

**** Note some expeditions are sharing permits as usual... To explain a little more: If You want to climb Everest independently, a permit cost $70,000 for 7 climbers. Therefore, if you want to purchase a "slot" from another expedition rather than pay $70,000 for yourself...

Everest is a simple but complex world.

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