Mt. Everest 2005: The Singapore Premier Taxi Everest Expedition without oxygen: The icefall

Update from the three man expedition without oxygen (Climbers Robert Goh, Lim Kim Boon and Edwin Siew)

At 5am this morning, the three mountaineers left for their first acclimatisation climb to Camp 1, across the Khumbu Icefall, the site of the most fatalities among Everest climbers.

For Edwin and Robert, who were with the first Singapore Everest Expedition in 1998, this was a repeat experience. "The icefall was more or less the same as in '98," Robert said. "The previous experienced helped this time; I was able to anticipate what was coming and could prepare myself better.

"What's different this time was the team. In '98, we were a fragmented group; this time it was more like a family, looking out foe each other."

Climbing with the Singapore Mountaineers were members of the NUS Centennial Expedition team which Robert's group have been directing for the last three years.

Edwin, a '98 Everest summiter, also had a good climb. "I was going slow and steady to acclimatize," he said. "No problems, just hungry. Camp 1 this time is further away from the lip which is quite precarious."

First-timer on the icefall, Kim Boon found it an exciting experience, but worrying. "I am worried about the tumbling blocks of ice serac," he said. "You have to fully concentrate; but it will be easier the next time."

The team is spending the night at Camp 1. Their plans tomorrow will depend on the weather. One big worry is the high winds which has been forecast for the next two or three days.

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