Last word on Everest spring 2009 - and early fall kick-off? Indian team switching sides for "technical reasons" and debrief from the North side
04:37 pm CDT Jun 26, 2009
(MountEverest.net) Indian-Tibetan Border Police mountaineers may attempt Everest from its south side in August, according to the Indian Express.
The Indian team originally announced plans to climb and ski down Everest’s North side in spring this year. Indian media reported that the climbers hoped to use their own encrypted communication equipment, but eventually switched to standard satellite-phones at the Chinese Authorities’ reluctance to allow such comm-gear to be used in their territory.
There were no further updates from the team through the climbing season. Now the ITBP team is back in Indian headlines – reportedly going for a early fall climb on Everest, from Nepal.
"Sources said the Chinese Government had neither allowed nor turned down ITBP’s request,” writes Indian Express, "“while ITBP Director General Vikram Srivastava said the feat could not be attempted from the Chinese side due to 'technical reasons'."
Last men standing on Everest North side: Gabriel Filippi’s debrief
Meanwhile Gabriel Filippi, one of the three last men standing on Everest this season, posted a debrief and a cool video on his website, showing an unusual side of the usually crowded mountain.
After three Sherpas refused to attempt the summit, alleging too much wind and snow on the upper slopes, Gabriel, his cameraman and Peruvian Richard Hidalgo launched a lonely summit push on Everest North side on June 1st.
At arrival in C3, the climbers couldn´t find their cached gear, and spent a long time melting water and pitching tents.
“It was just the three of us on Everest; all other teams had left the mountain,” Gabriel recalled. “At 1:00 am on June 6th, we set off for the top. In the dark, we were unable to find the fixed ropes. I lost a crampon on the mixed terrain, Richard (climbing below me) found it but it got loose again after a while. I told Richard I was turning back; due to cold feet he did the same. The cameraman followed us – the attempt was over.”
“A Sherpa is an crucial link in the team, if we only had had one... in our case, this probably made the difference between reaching the summit or not. Regardless, our expedition was an unforgettable experience.”
”Being alone on Everest has its charm,” Filippi added. “We descended without trails, on a hidden side of Everest, across snow slopes and breathtaking traverses – a pure delight.”
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