Local climbers take it to the top

Α TEN-member team of the Cyprus Mountain Climbing Federation sets off this weekend on their journey to reach Chulu East, which, at 6,000 metres, is one of the highest peaks of the Himalayas.

The team, the first Cypriot group to attempt such a climb, was received yesterday by President Tassos Papadopoulos who handed them a Cyprus flag to hoist on the peak.

“The hopes of all Cypriots are with you,” Papadopoulos told the climbers during a brief ceremony.
Federation President Michalis Ioannides said the climbers would do their best to prove worthy of his expectations.

In statements after the ceremony, trainer Pavlos Geordiades said the climbers would arrive at Kathmandu, Nepal on Sunday, where they will spend two days in preparation before the 18-day trek to Kathmandu, which they hope to reach by October 10.

Georgiades said it would take the climbers between 10 to 12 days to reach the first base camp, where they will stop for a few days to adjust to the high altitude.

”After 4,500 metres, climbing is very gradual so that our bodies can adjust,” Georgiades said, adding that weather conditions are unpredictable and could cause delays in the planning of the trip or even its cancellation.

He said the climbers would also have to battle very low temperatures.

”We know what to do, we know how to deal with different situations. We leave as strong and as prepared as possible,” Georgiades noted.

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