Cho Oyu Ascents from the North and Tragedy in the Pre-Monsoon Season. Climbing Cho Oyu from the west continues to be done frequently, with approaches both from Tibet and Nepal. (See the Nepalese section for those who approached from the south.) Four Swedes and a Briton led by Göran Kropp approached from Tibet. The leader teamed with Belgian Pascal de Brouwer, who came from Nepal, to complete the 100th ascent of the peak on May 7. On May 8, a group of 19 Italians sent leader Giuseppe Vigani, Bruno Ongis and Nauro Soregaroli to the summit. They were accompanied by Martin Lutterjo- hann, a member of a seven-member German expedition led by Eckehard Plättner, Belgian Mme Linda LeBon and Danu Sherpa, the latter two also coming from Nepal. Plättner’s expedition unsuccessfully attempted the northwest ridge, reaching 7300 meters on May 9. On May 14, nine Swiss and six Germans, led by Hans Eitel, placed German Peter Kowalzik and Musul Kazi Tamang on the summit. Tragically, Swiss Philippe Monnerat was killed in a fall on May 22. Thirteen Germans and two Austrians were led by Reinhard Schmitz. Germans Manuel Schneider on May 22 and Peter Guggemos and Martin Schuhmacher on June 4 reached the summit.

Elizabeth Hawley