Syaokang | 2012 E Face

A New Zealand expedition to Syaokang in 2012 via E Face, led by John Nankervis. Summit reached on 25th October 2012. 6 members recorded.

Expedition Details

Field	Value
ID	7849
Imported	2026-03-06 18:04:49.359634
Expedition ID	SYKG12301
Peak ID	SYKG
Year	2012
Season	3
Host Country	1
Route 1	E Face
Route 2	-
Route 3	-
Route 4	-
Nationality	New Zealand
Leaders	John Nankervis
Sponsor	New Zealand Yangma 2012 Expedition
Success 1	True
Success 2	False
Success 3	False
Success 4	False
Ascent 1	1st
Ascent 2	-
Ascent 3	-
Ascent 4	-
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Countries	-
Approach	Taplejung->Tima->Yangma->Yangma Khola
Basecamp Date	2012-10-20
Summit Date	2012-10-25
Summit Time	1530
Summit Days	5
Total Days	15
Termination Date	2012-11-04
Termination Reason	1
Termination Notes	-
High Point (m)	5929
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Camps	2
Fixed Rope (m)	0
Total Members	6
Summit Members	5
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	Attempted Chaw Peak (CHAW-123-01)
Campsites	BC(20/10,4400m),C1(22/10,4900m),C2(23/10,5300m),Smt(25/10)
Route Notes	Syaokang (5929m) 24 Oct: the team did a reconnaissance of the Ice Fall of the East Face from C2, finding two possible routes. 25 Oct: entire team started from C2 for summit at 7 am; at 5500m John Nankervis having AMS had to abandon and came back to C2; the other 5 members summited at 3:30 pm and went back to C2 at 7 pm. The mountain altitude measured by two members of the team are: 6070m and 6036m, for 5960m officially (Ministry) [and 5929m on HMG-Finn map]. The team believes they did the first ascent of the North Peak of Syaokang (which summit area would include 2 other peaks) 26 Oct: entire team was back to the BC. Chaw (6404m) John Nankervis stayed at the same BC to recover from his AMS, so did not climb on Chaw at all. 29 Oct: the team established C1 at 5100m. 30 Oct: the team established C2 at 5500m. 31 Oct: the team established C3 at 5700m. 01 Nov: the team couldn't find a way through the icefall preceding Yangma La (5720m) and went back to the C3. 02 Nov: the team started again at 8 am from C3. Nick Shearer went back this day to the base camp, stopping at the bergschrund of the Icefall. The 4 remaining members found a way through the 25m icefall, reached Yangma La (5720m) then came up to 6000m on the NW Ridge of Chaw (1 pm), where they decided to turn back. Knowing that they wouldn't have enough time for the return march, the team knew at this moment that the expedition was finished. They all went back to C2 the same day at 6 pm. 03 Nov: entire team was back at the BC and day after left for Taplejung.
Accidents	John Nankervis suffered from AMS at 5560m
Achievement	1st ascent of Syaokang
Agency	Dream Himalaya Adventures
Commercial Route	False
Standard Route	False
Primary Route	False
Primary Member	False
Primary Reference	False
Primary ID	-
Checksum	2459813
Year	2012
Summit Success	True
O2 Summary	None
Route (lowercase)	e face

Members

Field	Value
ID	57719
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	SYKG12301
Member ID	02
Peak ID	SYKG
Year	2012
Season	3
First Name	John Hugh Carswell
Last Name	Cocks
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1952
Calculated Age	60
Citizenship	New Zealand
Status	Climber
Residence	Dunedin, New Zealand
Occupation	Environmental engineer
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	True
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	False
High Point (m)	True
Personal High Point (m)	5929
Summit Date 1	2012-10-25
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	1530
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	1
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	1
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	5
Summit Term	1
HCN	0
Checksum	2432213
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	john hugh carswell cocks
Year of Birth	1952
Year	2012
Age at Expedition	60
Role	Member

Field	Value
ID	57720
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	SYKG12301
Member ID	03
Peak ID	SYKG
Year	2012
Season	3
First Name	Martin David
Last Name	Hunter
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1963
Calculated Age	48
Citizenship	New Zealand
Status	Climber
Residence	Auckland, New Zealand
Occupation	Attorney
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	True
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	False
High Point (m)	True
Personal High Point (m)	5929
Summit Date 1	2012-10-25
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	1530
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	1
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	1
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	5
Summit Term	1
HCN	0
Checksum	2436331
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	martin david hunter
Year of Birth	1963
Year	2012
Age at Expedition	49
Role	Member

Field	Value
ID	57721
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	SYKG12301
Member ID	04
Peak ID	SYKG
Year	2012
Season	3
First Name	Geoffrey Nicolas Charles
Last Name	Lamarche
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1961
Calculated Age	51
Citizenship	New Zealand
Status	Climber
Residence	Wellington, New Zealand
Occupation	Scientist (Geology) researcher
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	True
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	False
High Point (m)	True
Personal High Point (m)	5929
Summit Date 1	2012-10-25
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	1530
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	1
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	1
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	5
Summit Term	1
HCN	0
Checksum	2435445
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	geoffrey nicolas charles lamarche
Year of Birth	1961
Year	2012
Age at Expedition	51
Role	Member

Field	Value
ID	57722
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	SYKG12301
Member ID	05
Peak ID	SYKG
Year	2012
Season	3
First Name	Paul Hiram
Last Name	Maxim
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1962
Calculated Age	50
Citizenship	New Zealand
Status	Climber
Residence	Wellington, New Zealand
Occupation	Builder
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	True
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	False
High Point (m)	True
Personal High Point (m)	5929
Summit Date 1	2012-10-25
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	1530
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	1
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	1
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	5
Summit Term	1
HCN	0
Checksum	2435943
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	paul hiram maxim
Year of Birth	1962
Year	2012
Age at Expedition	50
Role	Member

Field	Value
ID	57723
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	SYKG12301
Member ID	01
Peak ID	SYKG
Year	2012
Season	3
First Name	John Marsden
Last Name	Nankervis
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1946
Calculated Age	66
Citizenship	New Zealand
Status	Leader
Residence	Wellington, New Zealand
Occupation	Attorney
Leader	True
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	False
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	False
High Point (m)	False
Personal High Point (m)	5500
Summit Date 1	2012-10-25
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	-
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	1
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	0
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	(1946-2022) 11 Jan 2022
Summit Bid	4
Summit Term	6
HCN	0
Checksum	2430130
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	john marsden nankervis
Year of Birth	1946
Year	2012
Age at Expedition	66
Role	Leader

Field	Value
ID	57724
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	SYKG12301
Member ID	06
Peak ID	SYKG
Year	2012
Season	3
First Name	Nicholas Thorton (Nick)
Last Name	Shearer
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1959
Calculated Age	53
Citizenship	New Zealand
Status	Climber
Residence	Oamaru, New Zealand
Occupation	Dentist
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	True
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	False
High Point (m)	True
Personal High Point (m)	5929
Summit Date 1	2012-10-25
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	1530
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	1
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	1
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	5
Summit Term	1
HCN	0
Checksum	2434675
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	nicholas thorton (nick) shearer
Year of Birth	1959
Year	2012
Age at Expedition	53
Role	Member

6 recorded members.

Name	Sex	Year of Birth	Citizenship	Status	Residence	Occupation
John Hugh Carswell Cocks	M	1952	New Zealand	Climber	Dunedin, New Zealand	Environmental engineer	Details Other expeditions
Martin David Hunter	M	1963	New Zealand	Climber	Auckland, New Zealand	Attorney	Details Other expeditions
Geoffrey Nicolas Charles Lamarche	M	1961	New Zealand	Climber	Wellington, New Zealand	Scientist (Geology) researcher	Details Other expeditions
Paul Hiram Maxim	M	1962	New Zealand	Climber	Wellington, New Zealand	Builder	Details Other expeditions
John Marsden Nankervis	M	1946	New Zealand	Leader	Wellington, New Zealand	Attorney	Details Other expeditions
Nicholas Thorton (Nick) Shearer	M	1959	New Zealand	Climber	Oamaru, New Zealand	Dentist	Details Other expeditions

References

Field	Value
ID	8952
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:36.307770
Expedition ID	SYKG12301
Reference ID	01
Year	2012
Type	2
Journal	AAJ
Author	Maxim, Paul
Title	-
Publisher	-
Publication Date	2014
Language	-
Citation	88:324-326 (2014)
Yak 94	-
Notes	-

Field	Value
ID	10432
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:36.307770
Expedition ID	SYKG12301
Reference ID	02
Year	2012
Type	5
Journal	-
Author	-
Title	http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/13201212656/Syao-Kang-6041m-first-ascent-Chaw-East-6404m-attempt
Publisher	-
Publication Date	-
Language	-
Citation	-
Yak 94	-
Notes	-

Field	Value
ID	15967
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:36.307770
Expedition ID	SYKG12301
Reference ID	03
Year	2012
Type	2
Journal	NZAJ
Author	Shearer, Nick
Title	The 2012 New Zealand Yangma Expedition
Publisher	-
Publication Date	2013
Language	-
Citation	65:80-83 (2013)
Yak 94	-
Notes	-

3 recorded references.

Expedition ID	Journal	Author	Title	Publisher	Citation	Yak 94
SYKG12301	AAJ	Maxim, Paul	-	-	88:324-326 (2014)	-
SYKG12301	-	-	http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/13201212656/Syao-Kang-6041m-first-ascent-Chaw-East-6404m-attempt	-	-	-
SYKG12301	NZAJ	Shearer, Nick	The 2012 New Zealand Yangma Expedition	-	65:80-83 (2013)	-