A four-person scientific expedition team. Ma Chao, Chen Gang, Mo Yanchao, Wen Qiuyuan (from left to right)
Special report from Everest Base Camp (Special Correspondent Zou Jin, Correspondent Cao Zhikai). Almost unnoticed, they climbed to an altitude of 6,000 meters. Yesterday, our reporter joined the DiDa Everest Mountaineering Team’s scientific expedition as they scaled the mountains east of Everest Base Camp, achieving yet another breakthrough.
Yesterday at 9 a.m., Expedition Team Leader Professor Chen Gang and team members Wen Qiuyuan, Ma Chao, and Mo Yanchao set out from the base camp and began climbing up the eastern mountain range. Our reporter decided to join them temporarily. Their mission was to conduct an on-site survey of the measurement control point coded “Ⅲ7.” This control point is specifically used to transmit data for Everest’s elevation and played a significant role during the 2005 remeasurement of Everest.
From the base camp to “Ⅲ7,” the altitude rises sharply from 5,200 meters to over 6,200 meters. The team climbed up rocky slopes, and after seven hours of strenuous effort, they reached a point about 100 meters away from the control point. Due to the late hour and treacherous terrain, the team had no choice but to abandon the attempt and descended back to the base camp around 6 p.m.
“It’s a pity. Our preparation was somewhat inadequate, and we had some issues with our route selection. We’ll come back in a couple of days,” said Chen Gang.
Due to the wrong route chosen, our reporter and team member Ma Chao were unable to accompany the scientific team for the entire climb and stopped ascending around 2 p.m., opting to descend instead. The altimeter showed that the turnaround point was already above 6,000 meters.
On the 18th, our reporter successfully reached Everest’s Intermediate Camp at an altitude of 5,800 meters.