The Hindu : International : Victory and a wedding on Everest

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Friday, Jun 03, 2005

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International

Victory and a wedding on Everest

21 climbers scale Mount Everest; two descend after tying the knot

KATHMANDU: At least 21 climbers from four different expedition teams scaled Mount Everest on Thursday, on a day the history of Nepalese mountaineering turned romantic as well: two summiteers who got married at the summit before descending safely, arrived here from the base camp.

Safe return

The gaggle of climbers reached the 8,850-metre summit in the morning and later returned safely to the highest camp, according to the Mountaineering Department in Kathmandu.

Climbing season on the Everest traditionally ends on May 31, as warming temperatures make the snow soft and dangerous for climbers. However, a long spell of bad weather recently broke, offering many hopefuls a late chance at the summit — so climbers have agreed among each other to keep the route open for a few more days. As many as 73 climbers reached the summit on Monday and Tuesday, said an official.

The ones who tied the knot, on May 30, are Pemba Dorje Sherpa and Moni Mulepati. "We tied our nuptial knots on the summit... soon after we stood atop the Everest," said 24-year old Mulepati, the brave bride. To boot, she is the fifth Nepalese woman and the first non-Sherpa ever to scale the world's highest peak.

The couple, still near-frozen but wearing a bundle of colourful garlands, waved to friends and family.

Also on Thursday, a Russian-built MI-17 helicopter crash-landed at the Everest's base camp as it tried to collect climbers who had scaled the peak earlier this week. No one was seriously hurt; most of the injured suffered bruises and cuts.

Another helicopter was sent to bring back the passengers and climbers

Since New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay first reached the top of Mount Everest on May 29, 1953, more than 1,400 climbers have scaled the peak. However, about 180 people have died trying.

News about Everest could be followed at, among other sites, http://www.mounteverest.net

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