Chinese female climber investigated for malpractice

Wang Jing. [file photo]

Nepal authorities are investigating an allegation that a Chinese female climber used a helicopter to climb up Mount Qomolangma a few days ago, the Global Times reported.

Wang Jing, 40, reached the world's highest peak from the Nepalese side on May 23, and has become the only one to ascend to the mountain top from the Southeast Ridge route this year.

However, several local guides and a helicopter pilot claimed that Wang took a helicopter from the base camp to Camp II at 6,400 meters on May 10 to cross a region devastated by an avalanche last month, the Nepal-based Himalayan Times reported.

Wang acknowledged using a helicopter to drop a cook, a porter and supplies at Camp II, but denied using the aircraft herself, according to a Nepalese official.

On April 18, an avalanche washed away part of the Southeast Ridge route, leaving 16 local guides dead. The other local guides then refused to accompany foreign climbers out of respect for their dead colleagues. This accident forced hundreds of climbers to abandon their expeditions.

There are many glaciers between the base camp and Camp II on the Southeast Ridge, and it is nearly impossible to cross the region before the damaged route is fully restored, according to Chen Chunshi, a veteran climber who had been to Mount Qomolangma twice but failed to reach the top.

Mount Qomolangma is the highest peak in the world, with an altitude of 8848.13 meters. Nepal normally allows helicopters to rescue climbers in distress or to drop climbing equipment and supplies, but climbers must walk on ropes and aluminum ladders fixed on snow to reach the top. Using a helicopter would constitute a serious moral violation of tradition in climbing the world's highest peak, Reuters said.