China One Step Short of Himalayan Crown

By Asem Mustafa Awan

Islamabad --- They are three and together they will hoist the China flag in top of the Gasherbrum I, 8068 meters and that will mark an end to their quest of Himalayan Crown in the Karakorums. Tse Ring Dorji, Ben Ba Drashi and Renar are three elite climbers from the China Tibet Mountaineering Association who are now on the final phase of their quest that will take them in the elite ranks of the select few that are given the status of icons in the alpinism.

Sam Drug leader of the expedition is the key figure in the team as it was him all the way that coached and trained the members when the quest for the 8000ers begin in 1993. A happy and excited man Sam Drug is thrilled to be on the last peak, which is comparatively a moderate mountain in the list of 14 8000ers.

“Its good to be here and I feel great the climbers are in good shape and we as a team used oxygen only on two peaks Everest and K-2,” said Sam Drug adding, “Safety is always first and my members are important.” Loze member in the team has climbed 12 of the 14 high peaks and is one behind the others. “We are here as it’s a team effort and none in the world as a team have gathered up with commitment the members and the resources,” said Phur Bu Tsering associated with the expedition as logistics incharge, speaking for the leader in his exclusive talks with Pakistan Observer.

He said, “We wanted to prove the world that China is a force in the world and now we are on the last step of the ladder with not one but three making a giant leap we can look the alpinism circles that yes we did it.” “The main team with the four climbers and three other climbers are part of the training string of CTMA,” said Phur Bu Tsering adding, “The team is strong and motivated and all are excited as they will be accorded a heroes welcome when then made the summit in middle or possibly end of July.” “It was dream that Sam Drug had and the quest started in 1993 and Dhaulagiri was first in the series and in the 12 years time the peaks submitted to the tenacity of the Chinese climbers which was unmatched all the way.”

Tse Ring Dorji is the climbing leader of the expedition and with bulk around his waist he said, “I will reduce it all there as it climbing time.” Two Pakistani climbers are also in the team, which is a joint expedition, Nisar Hussain and Nazir Hussain and the two have climbed four 8000ers each in Pakistan. Other team members are Da Shi Tsering (3 8000ers), Ban Ba Dhundrup (2 8000ers) and Phu Bhu Dhundrup (4 8000ers) Xue Wen Xian is the secretary with the team and Zhou Xing Kang is technical support. The expedition is taking the traditional route and will be having base camp at 5000 meters.