Army Mountaineers Climb Cho Oyu

New Delhi, May 25 (UNI) Twelve members of an Indian Army Mountaineering Expedition have created history by successfully scaling the technically difficult Mount Cho Oyu -- the sixth highest peak in the world.

Since a successful climb of the 8201-metre-high peak in 1958, no Indian team had attempted Cho Oyu -- and the 1958 feat, too, was one in which only the Nepali sherpas acompanying the expedition had summitted.

With this, the Indian Army not only put a dozen men atop the peak -- standing 20 Kms west of Mt Everest on the Sino-Nepal border -- on May 23 last, but also raised to five the number of 8,000-metre-plus peaks it has scaled so far -- there are in all 14 such peaks across the world.

Cho Oyu was first climbed in 1954 by an Austrian team. The first Indian Expedition to Mt Cho Oyu was launched in 1958 when two Nepali sherpas had scaled the peak. Since then no other Indian team had attempted the peak. This ascent of Mt Cho Oyu, therefore, is the first true Indian ascent in the real sense, observed an official spokesman here.

The dozen Army summitteers -- led by Lt Col Anand Swaroop -- include Subedar Palden Giachho, Havildar Both Singh, Sherpas Chhering Dorje, Domme, Phurba Namgyal, Phurba Chhetar, Dawa Sherpa and team photographer Gerry. All have descended the mountain safely.

Another summit attempt -- by seven members -- is planned for tomorrow.

The expedition was flagged off from here on April 12 last by Army Chief Gen JJ Singh -- who is himself a qualified mountaineer and keen adventure sports lover.

UNI DG VD VV1922