Valery Babanov and Vladimir Suviga reached 7450 m altitude and returned back to Nuptse base camp for some rest.

V. Babanov and H. Kammerlander. Nuptse-2003

At last Valera called us! We've been worrying much as no news was heard since the 4th of May.

Here is a chronicle of events:
- Valera and Volodya left for an assault on the night of May 4/5;
- They descended late in the evening of May, 11;
- On the 10th of May they reached 7450 m altitude. An apex was just 400 meters higher. (Editorial note: So far maximal altutitude of 7500 m was reached by French expedition in 1995);
- Babanov informed us that the route is hard; mixed terrain of ice and rocks;
- Above 7000 the route had been climbed in nasty weather (wind and snow);
- It was very cold - below -350C ;
- Progress was low due to insufficient altitude acclimatization;
- A tent, designed by BASK especially for the expedition, stood the hurricanes of April, 30 - May, 3 and is safe now;
- Kammerlander team has pitched two tents at 6900 m for the period and is now having a rest.
- Kammerlander's route met Babanov's one at 6900 m and coincides with it higher.

Kammerlander photos from Nuptse base camp may be found here:
(www.hr-online.de)

Valery Babanov said that the next attempt is planned for the 15th of May. Now they are exhausted and need at least three days to recover. Detailed info is to appear tomorrow (13.05).

Babanov met with Hans Kammerlander, who told him that so far Nuptse East (7804 m) is considered to be the highest unclimbed mountain. Who will be a pioneer we'll see soon.

13.05.2003