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Culdaff couple scale new
heights
08.07.08
A CULDAFF couple were
part of an expedition who have charted new territory
by scaling four previously unclimbed peaks in the
Indian Himalayas.
Alan and Margaret Tees, who organise the annual
ClimbFest in Culdaff, were among nine members from
the Colmcille Climbers and North West Mountaineering
Club who climbed to an altitude of more than 5600m
to the Panpatia ice cap. |
It was four peaks
surrounding the ice cap that was previously
uncharted territory.
"The expedition was not without its setbacks, as
early on, on the crossing of Holdsworth Pass, a
number of poorly-clad porters dumped their loads in
the snow, and retreated, resulting in the
high-altitude sherpas having to carry heavier loads.
This resulted in delays in order to hire more
porters to carry over essential food and equipment,"
explained Alan. "Despite most of the Irish
contingent being affected to varying extents by
recurring tummy upsets, high camp was established on
May 30. |
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The next day all six
climbers summited at 5687m and named one of the
peaks Shanti (Peace) Peak.
Two Indian mountaineers disappeared in 1984 on the
same mission, and in 1999, a Himalayan guide reached
the Panpatia ice cap. He wrote that a crossing from
there was possible but not easy. In the last couple
of years, a number of parties followed, but none
attempted to climb the virgin peaks surrounding the
ice cap.
The other climbers and trekkers who were on the trip
were Dennis Golden from Strabane, George Carlton
from Cullybackey, Andrew Tees of Eglinton, Martin
Bonner from Gweedore, Valli Schaffer, Sligo, Martin
Hasson, Feeny and Finbarr Mullin, Dungiven. |
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