NEW ZEALAND ALPINE CLUB, CHRSTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND
Media Release
Wednesday, 14 November,
Kiwis Make First Ascent of Remote Nepalese Mountain
A New Zealand Expedition led by John Nankervis (Wellington) was granted permission by the Nepalese Government to attempt
two unclimbed peaks near the remote village of Yangma in the Kangchenjunga region in North Eastern Nepal.
On 25 October, John Cocks (Dunedin), Martin Hunter (Auckland), Geoffroy Lamarche and Paul Maxim (Wellington), and Nick
Shearer (Oamaru) climbed the East Face of Syao Kang (6041m) from a high camp established below an ice fall.
An attempt on the second objective was abandoned at 6000m following delays in overcoming technical difficulties and
challenging conditions in the upper part of the route.
The team members belong to the New Zealand Alpine Club that provided financial support for the expedition. They are due
to return to New Zealand on 17 November.
New Zealand Alpine Club President Stu Gray commented “This is a great result by a team of very experienced Kiwi
mountaineers. This first ascent adds to the impressive history of achievement by New Zealander climbers in the high
Himalayas.”
ENDS