 |
|
| Ten days of Mount Qomolangma assault |
| CCTV.COM 2003-05-21 13:05:02 |
|
 The Chinese climbers' successful assault on Mount Qomolangma started ten days ago and experienced lots of ups and downs. Let’s take a look back at the odyssey they have been through.
After six days' adjustment to the altitude of 5,200 meters, the Chinese expedition team of 30 professionals and amateurs set off from their base camp on May 11. Climbers from 25 other countries and regions also began their journey to mark the fiftieth anniversary of man's first successful ascent of Mount Qomolangma, also known as Mount Everest.
The Chinese team arrived at the 6,000－meter Camp II seven hours later in the evening. After a night's rest, they started off early and as planned, reached the 6,500－meter Advanced Base Camp at noon. Although the progress was as planned, the weather worsened with strong wind slowing them down at times.
To stick to the plan as much as possible, the team reinforced the composition of its two groups. Half of the amateurs in group A were replaced by professionals. They took the third day off waiting for good weather.
 The assault of the world's No. 1 summit resumed on the fourth day in friendly weather, as they wished. Covering slippery ice, group A made it to the 7,028－meter Camp 4 in the afternoon and ready for the next target.
But their ambitious plan to reach the summit within a week suffered a heavy setback the next day as the pioneers were closing on the 7,790－meter mark. A fierce grade－10 gale effectively destroyed the camp site prepared at the height. After heated debate, the climbers decided to retreat downward over 500 meters to Camp 3.
The next two days saw the team held up in emergency meetings exploring the fastest and safest way to the summit. Despite the setback, the members seemed as confident as ever in their ability and luck.
 The climbers resumed their ascent on the eighth day in a grade－5 wind, considered mild weather in the Himalayas. They reached Camp 4 later in the day. Free of harsh weather conditions, they successfully lifted themselves to Camp 5 on the ninth day.
Amateurs in Group A recorded new heights in their climbing careers on the tenth day. After postponing their adventure for half an hour after an overnight gale, they struck out for 8,300 meters and reached Camp 6 in the afternoon after a smooth journey.
Amid low visibility, the Chinese mountain climbers succeeded in reaching the top on eleventh day, making them the third team to summit this year after Japan and France.
|
|
Editor: Han Ling CCTV.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
