BRITISH BROAD PEAK EXPEDITION LEADER DAVID HAMILTON
Multinational expedition goes for Broad Peak
JUNE6-2000
By
Asem Mustafa Awan
ISLAMABAD
— Elite British mountaineer David Hamilton (39) with his team left for
Skardu early morning to attempt 8047 metres Broad Peak.
The
four member team will attempt the peak from the Normal Route in Semi
Alpine Style.
The
group forms more of a multinational out fit with climbers representing
England, Scotland and America.
Roy
Tudor-Hughes from Oxford, England will vie for the summit at the age of
62, he celebrated his
birthday on June 5 and hosted a party for the expedition members on Monday
evening.
This
will be Roy's second 8000er. Roy reached the summit of Cho Oyu in 1998.
"I
like skiing more and my passion for the mountains developed after getting
involved in the ski tours."
Roy a
hotelier by profession is visiting Pakistan for the first time and has
found the people and the hospitality astounding.
Forty
one year old Garry Arce from America a teacher by profession is also on
his first visit. He has been to Nepal and has the summit of Island peak
besides a number of rock climbs in the Yosemite Valley in States.
Fifty-three
year old Allan Clapperton a High School Principal in Edinburgh, Scotland
attempted Bobisaghir in mid 90's in Pakistan and is attempting his first
8000er. Allan a seasoned campaigner in climbing also climbed Pamir besides
the Alps in Europe.
"The
team is strong and with luck and good weather we will be on the top Insha
Allah," said David Hamilton.
"There
are two Pakistani climbers with us Shakoor Ali and Ali Raza and both are
very strong," he said adding," Shakoor is veteran of all the
five 8000ers and has been high on all of them. Ali Raza has scaled
Gasherbrum II thrice and is a very strong climber."
When
asked whether the expedition will use oxygen David said," It will be
used only if necessary and that too in the case of Roy but we will
see."
Visiting
Pakistan regularly for 14 years and with three successful expeditions
David was also skeptical of the ministry's procedure.
He
said," The rules needs to be changed and for the next year Ministry
must adopt a different approach which should be more tourist
friendly."
The
expedition will make standard campsites on the peak with Base Camp at
5000
metres, Camp 1 at 6000 metres, Camp 2 at 6900 metres, Camp 3 at 7700
metres weather and conditions permitting.
David's
experience at a glance
An
expert par glider and mountain guide David Hamilton has been a regular
visitor to Pakistan for 14 years. He attempted Mount Everest
in 1998 reaching 8700 metres.
He
has summits of Gasherbrum I and II (8068 meters and 8035 metres),
Chogolisa and Trichmir besides an unsuccessful attempt on Masherbrum.
He also recorded his name in the history in 1997 when he led second unsupported ski traverse of the Hispar-Biafo Glaciers in the Northern Areas crossing over 70 kilometer of the terrain on the glaciers that are biggest in the world after the polar regions. The six skiers cum mountaineers crossed 72 kilometer on foot and 70 kilometer on the snow.
CAPTION:
David on the summit of Gasherbrum II, 8035 metres July 9, 1999.