SWISS ISTORONAL EXPEITION LEADER SIMON PERRITAZ
Swiss team leaves for Isoronal North East Face
JULY4-2000
By
Asem Mustafa Awan
ISLAMABAD
— Ten member Swiss Alpine Club team from Neuchateloise Section left for
Northern Areas to make the first ascent of Istoronal from North East Face
7276 metres.
Forty-five
year old Simon Perritaz is leading the side having climbers who have
climbing experience in all parts of the world.
The
North East Face offers a vertical climb of 300 metres starting from Base
Camp at 4500 metres with an average angle of 70 degrees and more.
"We
are very positive that we will climb the peak," said Simon
adding," The team is very strong and it is the best from the
region."
"Of
the 10 members five are professional mountain guides while others have
been climbing for a long time in the European Alps."
Two
members Christian Meillard (36) and Thierry Bionda (40) have been to
Pakistan before and have the first ascent of Bularung Sar 7300 metres in
1990.
The
others visiting Pakistan for the first time are considering two
possibilities for making the first ascent on Istoronal from North East
side.
Andre
Mueller member of the expedition said," There is not much information
on Istoronal and it is a very huge mountain with many summits with the
main summit having altitude of 7405 metres. The North East summit is
unclimbed and we all like to climb new routes making first ascents."
"We
have two options either to attempt the North East Face or to go via the
North East Ridge which offers an average angle of 50 degrees and
plus."
The
information we have is from the Japanese expedition which attempted the
peak in 1976 and managed to reach 6000 metres before coming down,"
said Andre adding," The peak has been climbed from South side via
Trichmir Glacier but very few have been on the summit from Atarak
Glacier."
Other
members of the expedition are Andre Geiser (49), Jean-Michel Zweiacker
(30), Yann Smith (29), Jean-Claude Lanz (48), Antoine Brenzikofer (29) and
Albertino Santos (54).
The
expedition will attempt the peak in Semi Alpine Style and will fix 2500
metres of ropes on the route. The expedition has planned it summit bid in
mid August with Base Camp at 4500 metres, Camp 1 at 5100 metres, Camp 2 at
5700 metres, Camp 3 at 6300 metres and Camp 4 at 6900 metres.
CAPTION:
Simon Perritaz (first from left)