JUNE3-2000
VENEZUELAN GASHERBRUM I&II EXPEDITION LEADER JOSE ANTONIO DELGADO
6-man
Venezuelan team to attempt Gasherbram-I, II
By Asem Mustafa Awan
ISLAMABAD — A six-member strong Venezuela expedition will
embark upon their first-ever journey in a couple of days to Baltoro to
conquer Gasherbrum I and II.
It will be the first ascent, if successful, for Venezuelans.
Thirty-five-year-old Jose Antonio Delgado is leading the side which
will attempt the two 8000ers from the Normal Routes.
Climbing leader Martin Echevarria (39), while talking to The
Nation said," We will attempt Gasherbrum-I (8,068 metres) first
and if we face any problem there we will switch to Gasherbrum-II (8,035
metres) as we have the permits for both the peaks."
While deliberating the overall strength of his team, Martin
said," It is the strongest outfit in Venezuela and over the years has
made a number of successful
trips to the Nepalese Himalayas.
"It is our first visit to Pakistan. We came in 1999 but it was
just passing through the country. We were on our way to China to climb
Musztagh Ata and it was a success."
The six-member climbing outfit from its 1991 expedition in the high
altitude has scaled Pumori and Ama Dablam in 1991 and 1993. The team
successfully scaled Shishapangma and Cho Oyu
(8000ers) added with an unsuccessful bid on Dhaulagiri, another one
of seven 8000ers in Nepal.
Martin has been with team in all its expeditions except Shishapangma
and has summits of Ama Dablam, Pumori and Musztagh Ata. The leader Jose
has summits of Shishapangma and Cho Oyu in the 8000ers besides Ama Dablam
and Musztagh Ata.
The team overall has rich climbing experience in Andes, besides few
of the climbers have also climbed McKinley in North America.
The expedition is attempting the two peaks from the Normal Routes
and is taking around 800 metres of ropes for Gasherbrum-I.
The expedition of the season will also be the first expedition on
the two peaks.
Other members are; Dr Carlos Calderas (36), Carlos Castillo (33),
Marcos Cayuso (35) and Marcus Tobias (35). One support member Eduardo
Espildora will be joining the expedition on Monday.
CAPTION: Jose Antonio Delgado
CAPTION: Martin Echevarrea