"In April/May a team of eight Dutchmen will climb the north face of Mount Everest. We can imagine you would like to be even closer to the action. And you can be, at the climbing team's 6400m Advanced Base Camp! We offer you, our readers, the special opportunity to join our Support Trekking Expedition in Tibet bringing you to Mount Everest Basecamp!" (*)
On reading this announcement, many Dutch Panorama Magazine readers were gripped by the challenge. For a unique price, Asian Travel Projects in cooperation with Snow Leopard Adventures - The Netherlands, climbed up to 6400 meters on the trail of real Everest expeditions. One of the 2000 climbing teams was a genuine Dutch one under the leadership of a well-known Himalayan climber. With our presence we wanted to support "our boys" in their mission on the mountain. Thirty-three men and women fought against the hazards of high altitude and the unexpected hardship of stomach diseases. A bacteriological infection raged through the group. The healthy of us did not get discouraged and decided to go for the highest achievable goal: Everest Advanced Basecamp at 6400 meters! While the sick and weak ones were evacuated, the rest set out for our "peak". With the jetstream clouds of Mount Everest high above us, we slowly struggled up the Serac Highway, a glacial route full of rocks and ice cliffs. The last few returned from the mountain after midnight, having squeezed the last ounce of energy from their bodies. The next morning when I checked, I saw everyone was present, all proud of their achievement. The ultimate goal had been reached: Everest Advanced Basecamp, the highest point for trekkers on earth!
For upcoming ADVENTURE projects see: Latest information
E-mail: info@asiantravelprojects.com
(*) From the Panorama expedition report 2000
|
