Media Release

Defence Climbers Smash Himalayan Records

A team of 17 Australian Defence Force (ADF) mountaineers has set a world record in scaling the summit of Mt Shishapangma, the thirteenth highest mountain in the world (8046m), near the Nepal/Tibet border.

The group from the Australian Army Alpine Association is the largest team of mountaineers to complete a climb to this height from a single expedition.

Among the successful group was the youngest Australian ever to climb a mountain of that height, 21-year-old Lance Corporal Tim Robathan of Daglish, WA, while Lieutenant Tanya Bylart, of Melbourne, was only the third Australian woman to accomplish this height.

The expedition, led by Lieutenant Colonel Brian Agnew of Sydney, began the assault on the mountain in early May, deciding not to use supplementary oxygen or Sherpa porters. They experienced extreme snow and unseasonably bad weather which forced five other international teams to withdraw from the mountain without attempting the summit.

During the climb, the ADF team rescued an Italian climber suffering from frostbite, hypothermia and dehydration, as well as an American climber who had fallen and wedged himself in a crevice.

Following their success and before walking back to their base camp and driving to Kathmandu, the team cleared the mountain trail of their rubbish and equipment. They are now in Kathmandu packaging all their equipment and gear prior to returning to Sydney on Saturday, June 5.

Chiefs of Staff to Note:
The team flies into Sydney on Saturday with Thai International Airlines at 8.35 am. They can be contacted by an Iridium mobile phone on 0011 8816 5611 2360. Expedition members are available for interviews and can be contacted on the above number through the expedition leader, Lieutenant Colonel Brian Agnew.

Further Information:
Barry Davies 0418 228 131

Issued by the Defence Public Affairs Organisation, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT, 2600

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