The Chinese Mount Qomolangma Climbing Expedition has reached a height of 7028 meters. They are now planning to make an assault on the summit on either Saturday or Sunday.
Group A of the expedition is composed of the captain, three climbers and three Tibetan high－altitude cameramen. Among the three climbers, Liang Qun is the only female and was transferred from Group B to Group A on Tuesday night. And her husband Li Weiwen stays with the Group B and waits for his wife's good news.
Above a height of 6,500 meters, the Mount Qomolangma is covered by ice and snow. Linked by ropes, the Group A members have to climb on the slippery ice. And the three cameramen have to endure the much harder task of filming while climbing.
Three hours after setting out, the climbers reached to the height of 6,800 meters by 11 am. After a short rest, the group arrived at 7,028 meters and they will set out to reach the 7,790 meters mark on Thursday.
“Group B is waiting to see what the situation is like at 8,300 and 8,600 meters. If they conquer the two heights smoothly and the conditions are favorable, then Group B may set out at anytime,” said Wang Yongfeng, general commander of Chinese Mount Qomolangma Climbing Expedition Team.
Taking a rest in the camp at 6,500 meters, the Group B members are greatly concerned about their companions' condition and wish them the best of luck.
(CCTV May 16, 2003)
