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Pushing one’s limits on mountains is not subject to stopwatches or measuring tapes. In the mountaineering community, raising climbing standards means attempting harder objectives, including climbing mountains previously climbed by new routes or routes harder than the normal routes.
These difficulties can be measured by the technical grade of the climb in terms of steepness and complexity; compounded by unique weather conditions.
In short, the north ridge of Everest is not a route commonly trodden by novice climbers with professional guides. It is an experienced mountaineer’s route.
The plan to return to Everest began in mid-1999 when members of the Mountaineering Society of Singapore (MOSS) formed a nucleus of the new Everest team.
His Excellency, President Nathan, is now the Expedition Patron
In Spring 2001, the Singapore team will combine forces climbers from Latin-America, demonstrating international friendship with nations across the Pacific. Together, they will attempt the north ridge of Everest.
Statistically, the success rate of expeditions on the North side of Everest is less than 20%. The south side enjoys a success rate of about 50%. First, Base Camp is a long way from summit and the upper camps established only with much effort. Second, the weather in Tibet is particularly hostile with constant west-to-east winds of up to 200km/h ripping across the north face and north ridge This makes it difficult to establish camps and makes these camps tenuous. Third, the last two summit camps on the north side are much higher than the South side. Climbers have to spend more time above 8000metres, sometimes known as the Death Zone. This is where little nutrition consumed is absorbed by the body and most body functions begin to deteriorate. Coupled with extreme altitude and cold, the north side presents many physical challenges
Fourth, on summit day, the climbers have to negotiate an exposed, rock ridge which has three notorious rock steps, each requiring skill and boldness to overcome.
