Shisha Pangma Ascent and Tragedy. A 14-man Spanish Army expedition, led by Major Francisco Soria, also included several civilians. They were the only group to reach the main summit of Shisha Pangma (8027 meters, 26,336 feet) in the post-monsoon season. Unlike the other groups, they followed the Chinese route in its entirety. On October 13, the summit was reached by Major Santaeufemia, Captain Francisco Gan, Sergeants Pedro Expósito and Francisco Pérez and civilians Miguel-Angel Vidal and Dr. Joan Martínez. During the descent they spent the first night at Camp III at 6900 meters. They set out from there the next day under blizzard conditions but soon tried to retrace their steps back to Camp III. They could not find their way and were forced to bivouac at about 6800 meters. By the following morning, October 15, Dr. Martínez had died of cold and exposure. The 33-year old victim had, together with Expósito, climbed Nanga Parbat in 1987 with another army expedition.

Xavier Eguskitza, Pyrenaica, Bilbao, Spain