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

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