원정 개요

High point at C1 on a small ridge towards northwest side.

At C1 was snowing and windy: 2-1/2 hours after 1 tent pitched and after Berger had twice asked Lila Tamang to pitch another tent and he did so and they slept in separate tents. Next morning they went together to ABC. Day after that Berger wanted to discuss with Lila about next move. Lila did not discuss next moves but kept talking about his summit bonus. Berger promised there would be a bonus and got angry and said our relationship not working, you're talking about bonus and I want to talk about program. Berger's anger stemmed from several days of Lila not putting up tent earlier and other petty problems. For me the expedition is over, you can do anything you want but I am leaving. It is possible this bonus discussion never took place and when he was alone after Lila went up on 31 March Erich realized he was not getting anywhere and left.

1 May: "I think he is the kind of person who makes up a story as he goes along."

30 May - Swiss Cho Oyu expedition leader Karl Kobler: Berger spent only one night in C1 and then down to ABC and never went back up. He got angry with his Tamang. On 23 or 24 April asked to join Kobler's team, but Kobler refused because Kobler had to rescue him on Xixabangma in 1998 with altitude sickness in C2. Berger got angry with Kobler and left ABC and BC on 28 April. Maybe altitude affected his brain: "he was a little crazy."

30 March both men down to ABC. Up from ABC 1st time 25 March by Lila and 26 March to C1 (again Lila only) to deposit gear and slept in ABC. 29th both Lila and Erich up to C1 and slept there. 30th down to ABC. 31 March in morning Erich angry. Lila mood not good. Erich had jacket. Lila went to C1 carrying food, gas and tent there. 1 April Lila fixed rope up to nearly C2; very windy - back to ABC and no Erich; Erich in BC then. 2 April Lila up to C1 to bring down all supplies to ABC and slept there. Still no Erich and Lila never saw him again at mountain or in KTM. Lila to BC 9 April after waiting for yaks. Why Erich left, Lila doesn't know.

BC(18/03),ABC(22/03),C1(29/03),xxx(29/03)