Another story is coming in from MountEverest.net today, and it's a disturbing one. According to anonymous sources on Cho Oyu, a group of Tibetans were moving through the Nangpa La pass between Tibet and Nepal, when they were attacked and killed by the Chinese military. The pass has been used for hundreds of years as a trading route between the two countries, but in recent years some refugees have used the route to see asylum in Nepal or India. Someone tipped off the Chinese military that this group was moving through the area, and they were waiting for them. The story goes on to say that the Chinese soldier then "swarmed" through advanced base camp on Cho Oyu, the sixth highest mountain on Earth.
Further reports from Tibetans on the mountain say that as many as seven people were killed in the pass, and the army through their bodies into a crevasse. Others scattered toward either side of the border, trying to avoid the Chinese patrolling the area. The Nangpa La pass is also said to be used by "illegal climbers" who want to summit Cho Oyu without purchasing a permit. Generally in the offseason.
I'm sure we'll hear more about this story as some of the climbers return from ABC as well. It's hard to believe that this kind of thing is going on, but here in the West, we just don't hear about these stories very often.
No comments:
Post a Comment