China launches Everest torch climb
A team of Chinese climbers carrying the Olympic flame launched their bid to bring the torch to bring the top of Mount Everest early on Thursday, the media reported.
By Agencies |
BEIJING: A team of Chinese climbers carrying the Olympic flame launched their bid to bring the torch to bring the top of Mount Everest early on Thursday, the media reported.
The team set out at 3:00 am (1900 GMT Wednesday) for the summit of the the 8,848-metre (29,198-foot) Himalayan peak, the world's highest mountain, Xinhua news agency reported, updating the start time given in its first dispatch.
The climbers are expected to reach the summit at about 10:00 am (0200 GMT), the report said.
Heavy snow and high winds had delayed China's attempt to carry a special Olympic torch to the top of Everest, which is located partly in troubled Tibet.
China's plan to carry the torch up Mount Everest became particularly controversial after the authorities in March cracked down on unrest in Tibet that reflected dissatisfaction over Chinese rule.
The special torch is different to the one currently touring the Chinese mainland after an international relay dogged by protests over Beijing's handling of the situation in Tibet and its overall human rights record.
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China has deployed huge security teams for the flame's ascent. Climbing expeditions from both Everest's Tibetan and Nepalese sides have been banned to prevent any disturbance of the summit attempt.Download
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