Island Peak Challenge 2009

a winter ascent of Island Peak at “Sherpa speed” by Chan Joon Yee, dedicated to the late Jason Ho

The Challenger

Name: Chan Joon Yee

Nationality: Singaporean

Born: 1-3-1964

Alpine Experience: climbed Mera Peak (6476m) in 10 days, descended into Hongu Valley, crossed Amphu Laptsa (5845m) into Khumbu Valley, trekked to Kala Patar and returned to Lukla on Day 18.

Latest major challenge: solo unsupported Old Elephant Trail expedition from Mae Hong Son to Samoeng in Northern Thailand December 2003.

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When I say that I miss Nepal, I probably mean that I’ve forgotten all about the urine, rubbish and cow dung on the streets. I definitely remember the beautiful mountains and monasteries, the fragrant curries, teas and aromatic spices.

The last time I had any close connection with the Himalayas was back in 2003 when I organised a climb of Mera Peak which I summited back in May 2000. That was when I was still a swinging single. I’m now a father of 2 boys and I run a practice at Orchard Road where the rentals seem to tick away like a taxi meter. That’s why I’ve decided to make this trip as short as possible. I’d have to trek and climb at “Sherpa speed” so my boys won’t miss me too much and I won’t be paying my landlord too many days’ rental without working. Here’s my intended itinerary. I don’t mean to show off. It’s just that I simply cannot afford the time for a more leisurely climb.

Day 1
Fly in to Kathmandu

Day 2
Fly in to Lukla, breakfast at Lukla, lunch at Phakding, dinner at Namche

Day 3
Namche (B), Tengboche (L,D)

Day 4
Tengboche (B), Chukung (L,D)

Day 5
Rest day

Day 6
Chukung (B), Island Peak Base Camp (L, D)

Day 7
B.C. (B), High Camp (L, D)

Day 8
H.C. (B), B.C. (L), Chukung (D)

Day 9
Chukung (B), Tengboche (L), Namche (D)

Day 10
Namche (B), Lukla (L,D)

Day 11
Fly back to Kathmandu (2 spare days)

Day 14
Fly back to Singapore

Crucial to the success of this expedition is hypoxic training. I not only need to be physically trained and prepared, I also need to be physiologically prepared by pre-acclimatising to the altitude. For this, I’ve designed a homemade hypoxicator. It’s a very simple device built at a total cost of less than $30. The most expensive item is probably the breathing mask. You can save on that if you don’t mind breathing through your mouth. The principle is very simple. You rebreathe air from a sealed air reservoir and the oxygen level keeps dropping. A box of sodium hydroxide placed inside the air reservoir absorbs your expired carbon dioxide. The lack of oxygen simulates hypoxia at altitude and stimulates acclimatisation. Sounds good in theory.

I’ll let everyone know if it works after this expedition. Pre-acclimatisation is extremely useful if high altitude tourism is to be promoted to busy Singaporeans. Most Himalayan trips are impossible for working people in Singapore because of the length of time needed for acclimatisation. Apart from hypoxic training, I also believe that there are herbal supplements and training shortcuts that can give the knowledgeable an edge. I’ve already discovered some tips and tricks in this area.

I think it would be a lie to say that I won’t feel proud of myself for accomplishing such a difficult task. I wish I still have that condescending email someone (thinking that I don’t even know what AMS is) sent me. It would be sweet if I can announce my success to him. For his sake, I may brag a little. Wish me luck. Flip to the next page for some cool 3D pics of the route I’ll take.