원정 개요

C1 just at top of Icefall
C2 in Western Cwm
C3 on Lhotse Face
C4 at South Col.

Summit party left C4 at 8:20 pm to 10:00 pm on 24 May: Leroy, McDonald, Witzig, Yoder, Hanna, Prittie, Tejas, Peralvo, Roberts, Benitez. Hanna got to 8050m, not feeling strong, not moving well, not right for going on and down to South Col: deep snow (to knees, some to thighs) from 8400m to South Summit and this expedition did 80% of trail breaking here (Athans did other 20%). Also in summit party were 8 Sherpas, all of whom reached top. Summit reached at 10:30 am by Benitez, Witzig and Pemba Rinzi; last on top Prittie at 11:50 am. All slept in C4 (including Hanna)); all down to C2 on 26th and BC 27th.

Oxygen used: 98 bottles of 4 liters each were used: Summit party, all members sleeping in C3, climbing to C4, sleeping in C4, climbing to top and back to C4, sleeping in C4 (Hanna down from C4 to C2 and sleeping in C2, Tejas sleeping in C2, but not climbing to C2). All Sherpa summiters sleeping in C4, climbing to top and back to C4 and sleeping again in C4.

Sherpa summiters:
Lhakpa Rita, Thami, 1966, Everest X4, Cho Oyu X2
Chuwang Nima, Thami, 1967, Everest X8
Tshering Dorje, Kharikhola, 1970, Everest X3
Kami Rita, aka Topke, Thami, Everest X5, Cho Oyu X1
Pemba Rinzi, Kharikhola, Everest X3
Mingma Chhiri, Thami, Everest X3
Ang Pasang, Thami, 34, Everest X3
Kami Rita, Thami (also), 24 years, Everest X1

Mathy left expedition 23 May because of serious intestinal infection.


Al Hanna - 31 March 2002

"We try to give inspiration to clever people not to give up." "Going to reach the top this time?" "Yes I am" he said emphatically. "I understand the mountain and can visualize the South Summit where I turned back last time and from talking to people and seeing pictures of the last 300 ft. I realize its not so awesome as I thought it was."