Climbers endure harsh conditions, scale peak

The daring climb by the first Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition team of the dreaded Mt. Muztagh-Ata in the borders of China and Pakistan had exacted heavy physical and emotional toll on its members.

Despite all these, the seven-man squad, headed by Reggie Pablo accomplished the mission by reaching a peak no other Filipino has ever dared to scale before.

"It’s part of the risk but we were not discouraged," said Pablo, who almost lost a finger due to frostbites.

Truly, the seven intrepid climbers – Pablo, Ariel Ambayec, Erwin "Pastour" Emata, Leo Oracion, Levi Nayangahan, Karina Dayondon and team doctor Ted Esquerra — overcame tremendous odds to conquer the 7,546-meter (24,758 feet) peak recently.

"It’s not only a personal triumph for me, this is for the country," said the 32-year-old Oracion, the first Filipino atop the summit.

One member, Ambayec, suffered a mild stroke in the course of their climb. Pablo and Nayangahan, both frostbitten, had to carry Ambayec back to the camp that entailed a seven-hour trek, leaving Oracion, Emata and Dayondon to complete the ascent. They did the feat despite the lack of equipment, high-tech gadgets and amid biting cold weather that led to the death of two Germans.

"We were not able to buy snow shoes. It’s a good thing some Japanese spared us some pairs," said Emata, whose right ring finger was also operated on due to frostbites.