Makalu | 1997 Makalu La-NW side

A USA expedition to Makalu in 1997 via Makalu La-NW side, led by David Custer. Summit reached on 7th October 1997. 8 members recorded.

Expedition Details

Field Value
ID 2462
Imported 2026-03-06 18:04:49.359634
Expedition ID MAKA97301
Peak ID MAKA
Year 1997
Season 3
Host Country 1
Route 1 Makalu La-NW side
Route 2 -
Route 3 -
Route 4 -
Nationality USA
Leaders David Custer
Sponsor Southern California Makalu Expedition
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 UK
Approach -
Basecamp Date 1997-09-03
Summit Date 1997-10-07
Summit Time -
Summit Days 34
Total Days 40
Termination Date 1997-10-13
Termination Reason 4
Termination Notes Abandoned at 7800m due to wind, bad visibility, deep snow and fatigue
High Point (m) 7800
Traverse False
Ski False
Paraglide False
Camps 3
Fixed Rope (m) 200
Total Members 8
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 LowBC(03/09,5000m),BC(10/09,5500m),C1(15/09,6100m),C2(20/09,6700m),C3(05/10,7400m),xxx(07/10,7800m)
Route Notes Low BC at Barun Pokhara BC at normal site just above glacier's junction C1 at rock island in Chago Glacier C2 below rock band at start of steep section C3 at Makalu La High point at near NW Ridge. Wind never quit above C2 from late Sept and cold. -15 degrees at BC from 1st Oct, but never got much new snow. Gary Corliss and Brian Johnson separately attempted summit from C3 on 6th and 7th but did not get to 8000m: Gary Corliss to 7700m and Brian Johnson to 7800m alone, but stopped by wind, bad visibility, deep snow and fatigue. Plaxco got to C1 but not very strong climber, got homesick and left expedition about 1 Oct. Berrys, Bremeld and Custer are trekking back from BC via Sherpani Col while other 4 members come to KTM by helicopter. All 3 to low BC on 14th together and 3 "trekkers" left on 15th to walk out while others 4 waited for helicotper. Went even way via East Col, West Col and Amphu Laptsa in 4 days low BC to Chhukung. We were only team not to have to helicopter anyone ill out.
Accidents -
Achievement -
Agency Arniko Travel
Commercial Route -
Standard Route True
Primary Route False
Primary Member False
Primary Reference False
Primary ID -
Checksum 2453761
Year 1997
Summit Success False
O2 Summary None
Route (lowercase) makalu la-nw side

Members

8 recorded members.

Name Sex Year of Birth Citizenship Status Residence Occupation
John Berrys M 1960 USA Climber Pasadena, California Physicist Details Other expeditions
Kenneth (Ken) Bremeld M 1971 UK Climber Pasadena, California Chemist Details Other expeditions
Gary Corliss M 1959 USA Climber St. Johnsbury, Vermont Contractor Details Other expeditions
David Custer M 1962 USA Leader Cambridge, Massachusetts Alpinist & physicist Details Other expeditions
Peter G. Green M 1962 USA Climber Pasadena, California Plumber & scientist Details Other expeditions
Bryan Johnson M 1959 USA Climber San Diego, California Emergency physician Details Other expeditions
Kevin Plaxco M 1965 USA Climber Seattle, Washington Biochemist Details Other expeditions
David Wheeler M 1962 USA Climber Albuquerque, New Mexico Chemist Details Other expeditions

References

0 recorded references.