Viet Nam conquers Mount Everest

(24-05-2008)

Climbers are the first Vietnamese to summit the world’s highest peak.

Mount Everest — Bui Van Ngoi, Phan Thanh Nhien, and Nguyen Mau Linh have become the first Vietnamese to leave their footprints on Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak in the world.

The 24-year-old climber Ngoi, a second-year student at the College of Physical Education and Sports 2 in HCM City, was the first to reach the top on Thursday.

Twenty-three-year-old Nhien, who is Ngoi’s classmate, and 32-year-old professional boxer Linh were the first and second runner-ups.

Before attempting the climb, the three took a one-month training course at the base camp located at 5,400m to adapt to the high altitude. They then headed to Camp 1 at 5,900m, Camp 2 at 6,500m, and Camp 3 at 7,300m.

Long trek

The three trekkers partnered with two American cameramen and seven Sherpa guides during their climb.

According to Bradley Clement, one of the two American cameramen, they had to spend more than five hours to reach the notorious Khumbu Icefall, located not far above the base camp.

The icefall, caused by the rapid movement of the Khumbu glacier over steep rock underneath, is a dangerous area where a number of people have reportedly died.

The group then took three more hours to reach Camp 2, spending two nights there to acclimatise before crawling through tall, vertical icy walls to Camp 3.

Resting for one night at Camp 3, the group continued its route up to South Col and Camp 4 at around 7,900m , a highly strenuous climb that took four hours.

After an additional eight hours in cold, massive snowy winds, and climbing on slippery rocks, the three young men became the first Vietnamese to reach the legendary mountain’s summit at 6am GMT.

The expedition was part of the first Vietnamese reality show titled Vietnamese Climbers Conquer Mount Everest 2008, co-sponsored by Viet Nam Television and Lasta Company. — VNS