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ExplorersWeb featured expedition
The Annapurna expedition was an eye-opener for
Steve and he learned very quickly that there is an enormous difference
between a 7000 and 8000-meter peak. For
this very reason he has organized the Shishapangma trip to get the varied
group accustomed to higher altitudes and give them the knowledge and
skills necessary for a serious attempt at Everest - their ultimate goal.
Of the eleven climbers, six have enough
experience to give Everest a try all ready.
Sometimes expedition leaders are not very keen on having varied
skill levels within the team. However,
the groups’ differences are actually embraced by Steve. He believes it is an advantage to the dynamics, a key element
on any expedition. In
Steve’s experience a group with all very experienced climbers often
takes things too seriously and the only thing on their mind is the summit.
“If you are going to just climb a mountain, the Himalayas are not
the place.” Steve sees the
mountain as a part of the whole trip; the whole experience of going there,
meeting local people and immersing oneself into the culture, “the
mountain is secondary.” With that said, Steve certainly understands Everest is no joke and there will be lots of times that aren’t fun at all. That’s just a part of the whole experience. Every climb he as done has just given him more ammunition with which to attack E, even as far back as his Boy Scout days. More
about raising the funds for Everest and concerns for the safety of the
group in a politically unstable country tomorrow. . .
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If
all goes to plan, the members of the Shishapangma team will be headed for
North side of Everest in spring of 2004 without oxygen.