Chamlang | 2000 N Face

A UK expedition to Chamlang in 2000 via N Face, led by Chris Comerie. 2 members recorded.

Expedition Details

Field Value
ID 3635
Imported 2026-03-06 18:04:49.359634
Expedition ID CHAM00101
Peak ID CHAM
Year 2000
Season 1
Host Country 1
Route 1 N Face
Route 2 -
Route 3 -
Route 4 -
Nationality UK
Leaders Chris Comerie
Sponsor British Chamlang Expedition Spring 2000
Success 1 False
Success 2 False
Success 3 False
Success 4 False
Ascent 1 -
Ascent 2 -
Ascent 3 -
Ascent 4 -
Claimed False
Disputed False
Countries -
Approach -
Basecamp Date -
Summit Date -
Summit Time -
Summit Days 0
Total Days 0
Termination Date -
Termination Reason 12
Termination Notes -
High Point (m) 0
Traverse False
Ski False
Paraglide False
Camps 0
Fixed Rope (m) 0
Total Members 2
Summit Members 0
Member Deaths 0
Total Hired 0
Summit Hired 0
Hired Deaths 0
No Hired True
O2 Used False
O2 None True
O2 Climb False
O2 Descent False
O2 Sleep False
O2 Medical False
O2 Taken False
O2 Unknown False
Other Summits -
Campsites -
Route Notes Chris Comerie (letter to Liz Hawley) The expedition arrived in Tashigaon on 12th March amid rumors that there was heavy snow in the passes. The weather had been bad with heavy rain for the previous four days, thick black clouds constantly obscuring the surrounding hills. The snow line was down to 2500m at Tashigaon. The day after arrival at Tashigaon we took two Sherpas up the trail to assess the situation. It took several hours just to make the ridge above the village at 3200m, battling through deep snow often waist deep. The following day we made the trail further to around 3500m through increasingly difficult conditions. Visibility was poor and it began snowing at around mid-morning each day. We decided to wait for an improvement in the weather calculating that we had until 26th March before having to make a go for base camp. With still another six days trekking to base, this would just allow us enough time to mount a lightweight attempt for the summit. We made another inspection during this waiting period and found conditions had not improved. The weather continued to be very bad with continuous rain until it showed an improvement 19th March. On this day we left Tashigaon with two Sherpa's tents and food to attempt to force a way over into the Barun Valley. We pitched the tents in deteriorating conditions at 3600m. The following day dawned beautiful and clear so we continued on up the ridge often in deep unconsolidated snow, but again the weather had deteriorated by midday with poor visibility and snow. We had reached a point close to Shipton Pass at 4100m. We decided to retreat back down to our camp on the ridge, our trail already blotted out by snowfall. We spent another night there in continuing snow and wind. Around another six inches of snow fell that night. The following morning we descended to Tashigaon 22nd March. In accepting responsibility for the safety and well-being of our staff, we concluded that it would be impossible to commit load-carrying porters to the passes and high valley beyond. Our two Sherpas and ourselves found things very difficult despite being fully equipped for mountaineering. An attempted crossing would expose our staff to potential frostbite or a fatal slip. Conditions dictated that there would be a need for fixed ropes on parts of the route. In it's present condition we estimated that it could take some weeks of fine weather before a safe crossing could be made, so we therefore decided to abandon the expedition and return to Kathmandu. We left Tashigaon 24th March and arrived back in Kathmandu 28th March. Disappointment does not properly convey my true feelings. I'm devastated that all the effort, expense and emotional strain has been wasted by our failure to even reach base camp.
Accidents -
Achievement -
Agency Himalayan Country
Commercial Route -
Standard Route -
Primary Route False
Primary Member False
Primary Reference -
Primary ID -
Checksum 5285
Year 2000
Summit Success False
O2 Summary None
Route (lowercase) n face

Members

2 recorded members.

Name Sex Year of Birth Citizenship Status Residence Occupation
Christopher G. (Chris) Comerie M 1951 UK Leader East Bridgford, Nottingham, England Builder Details Other expeditions
Paul Cleary M 1967 UK Exp Doctor Hyde, Cheshire, England Physician Details Other expeditions

References

0 recorded references.