Mt. Everest 2005: Chaitanya on the summit of Mt Everest but many questions remain....

Sqn Ldr SS Chaitanya on the summit of Mt Everest

Update August 2005: The Air Force Team has Summits by Wg Cdr R C Tripathi, Sqn Ldr SS Chaitanya, who died on the way down, Sgt NR Chaudhury and Sherpas: Pemba Nuru , Pemba Chhoti, Jamling Bhote and Ang Sona Sherpa. All summited without question.  However, the mystery of Sqn Ldr SS Chaitanya death has left several questions.

However, as you can see in the above picture, Sqn Ldr SS Chaitanya did summit Mt Everest without question. Sqn Ldr SS Chaitanya was also using Poisk oxygen not any other system as has been falsely reported by others for reasons unknown. Sqn Ldr SS Chaitanya body was said to have been seen by a sherpa. More on that to follow and the questions concerning his death.

Did you see Sqn Ldr SS Chaitanya's body on Everest? if so please e-mail us... His family would like to know his final resting place...

Earlier interesting reports are below...

Update June 1, 2005: After the summits on 30th May in which three members of the IAF team summited Everest from the North [Wg Cdr RC Tripathi (0515h), Sgt NR Chaudhuri (0630h) and Sqn Ldr SS Chaitanya (0945h)].  Several reliable sources reported to EverestNews.com that one of these climbers did not make it back.

A rescue operation was started, but there has been no signs of the climbers. We informed the team we would wait to report the news until the family was notified and the information was released. The news has now been released according to a report by the Ministry of Defense. Squadron Leader S S Chaithanya do not come back to high camp after summiting. RC Tripathi and NR Choudhary with their sherpas arrived at reached camp three at about 7:00 pm. The Sherpa with Squadron Leader Chaithanya reached the camp at around 8:15 pm and informed the team that he had lost contact with Chaithanya. Squadron Leader Chaithanya is still officially reported missing and has not been located.

Update: Today, 30th May, three members of the IAF team summited Everest from the North. They are Wg Cdr RC Tripathi (0515h), Sgt NR Chaudhuri (0630h) and Sqn Ldr SS Chaitanya (0945h). They are all safe and on their way back to ABC.

Update 5/25/2005: Dear EverestNews.com, As u would be aware Russel Brice had taken the responsibility of fixing ropes on the North side. Most teams were rather frustrated at the ropes not being in position as late as 18th. We accordingly asked for a meeting with him in which he flatly refused to send his Sherpas to fix rope for the 21/22 window saying  that he needed the Sherpas for sending gear and oxygen for his clients. He also said that anyone who wanted to climb should either wait tilll he finds time to fix ropes or do it themselves. A few teams viz Norwegian, Indian Army, Chinese and Indian Air Force then got together and decided to fix the ropes on 21st. For reasons unknown the Chinese team did not send their Sherpa to fix rope. The other 3 teams kept their promise and fixed rope till 2nd step. Russel somehow had a change of heart and sent 4 Sherpas to carry rope from North Col to Camp III.

That is the story. If we had not taken the initiative the ropes would not have been up. Unfortunately our 4 member team had to turn back from 8600m because of oxygen and crampon problems and because 2 members were frostbitten.

Amit Chowdhury Leader IAF Team

The IAF team has thirty men and is leaving for Everest on March 29th. The expedition will be led by veteran mountaineer Wg Cdr Amit Chowdhury. This is the first Indian Air Force Everest expedition.

Millet One Sport Everest Boot  has made some minor changes by adding more Kevlar. USES Expeditions / High altitude / Mountaineering in extremely cold conditions / Isothermal to -75°F Gore-Tex® Top dry / Evazote Reinforcements with aramid threads. Avg. Weight: 5 lbs 13 oz Sizes: 5 - 14 DESCRIPTION Boot with semi-rigid shell and built-in Gore-Tex® gaiter reinforced by aramid threads, and removable inner slipper Automatic crampon attachment Non-compressive fastening Double zip, so easier to put on Microcellular midsole to increase insulation Removable inner slipper in aluminized alveolate Fiberglass and carbon footbed Cordura + Evazote upper Elasticated collar. Expedition footwear for mountaineering in conditions of extreme cold.  NOTE US SIZES LISTED. See more here.

A cold weather, high altitude double boot for extreme conditions The Olympus Mons is the perfect choice for 8000-meter peaks. This super lightweight double boot has a PE thermal insulating inner boot that is coupled with a thermo-reflective outer boot with an integrated gaiter. We used a super insulating lightweight PE outsole to keep the weight down and the TPU midsole is excellent for crampon compatibility and stability on steep terrain. WEIGHT: 39.86 oz • 1130 g LAST: Olympus Mons CONSTRUCTION: Inner: Slip lasted Outer: Board Lasted OUTER BOOT: Cordura® upper lined with dual-density PE micro-cellular thermal insulating closed cell foam and thermo-reflective aluminium facing/ Insulated removable footbed/ Vibram® rubber rand See more here.

   Ascenders

   Atlas snowshoes

   Atomic

   Big Agnes

   Black Diamond

   Brunton

   Carabiners

   Chaco

   Cloudveil

   Columbia
   CMI

   Crampons

   Edelweiss ropes
   Eureka Tents

   Exofficio

   FiveTen

   Featured

   FoxRiver

   Gregory

   Granite Gear

   Harnesses
   Headlamps

   Hestra
   Helmets

   Helly Hansen

   HighGear

   HornyToad
   Ice Axes

   Julbo

   Kavu Eyewear

   Katadyn

   Kelty

   Kong

   Lekisport

   Life is Good

   Lowa

   Lowe Alpine

   Lowepro

   Millet

   Motorola

   Mountain Hardwear

   Mountainsmith

   MSR

   Nalgene

   New England Ropes

   Nikwax

   Omega

   Osprey

   Outdoor Research
   Patagonia

   Pelican

   Petzl

   Prana

   Princeton Tec

   Primus

   Rope Bags

   Royal Robbins

   Salomon

   Scarpa

   Scott

   Seattle Sports

   Serius
   Sleeping Bags

   Sterling Rope

   Stubai

   Suunto

   Tents

   Teva

   Thermarest

   Trango

   Tool Logic

   Trekking Poles
   Yaktrax
   and more here