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PEAK CONDITION: Dr Robert Goh (left) and Mr Edwin Siew have been undergoing special low-oxygen training at the SSC to prepare for their two-month assault on K2, considered the world's most dangerous climb. -- ST PHOTO: CAROLINE CHIA
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TWO daredevil Singaporeans will attempt to scale the world's most treacherous peak, K2, during an expedition next month.
Veteran mountaineers Robert Goh, 42, and Edwin Siew, 38, are aiming to climb the 8,611m mountain - the world's second highest - without bottled oxygen. It is a feat that has been accomplished by just a handful of people.
The pair will set off tomorrow for a 10-day training climb in Nepal, before they begin a two-month assault on K2, located in Pakistan at the western edge of the Himalayas.
The mountain has claimed the lives of 66 climbers and its unpredictable weather and steep drops have earned it a reputation as the world's most dangerous climb. But the duo have a wealth of experience. Mr Siew, who is the head of training and operations in Outward Bound Singapore, made history in 1998 for being one of two men in a Singapore team to first scale Mount Everest.
Dr Goh was his climbing mate on that first Singapore-Everest expedition, but he failed to reach the summit. The research scientist has been climbing for 20 years and has attempted Everest three times but has never made it to the top.
He told The Straits Times: 'All those attempts on Everest are just training to scale the world's second highest mountain.'
They have dreamed of climbing K2 since 2002, after scaling the 8,013m Xixiabangma in Tibet. But they were aware of the technical difficulties of climbing K2 and knew they needed more experience under their belt, said Mr Siew.
K2 is considered the deadliest mountain in the world because of the number of accidents that happen on descent. About 189 people have made it to the summit, but 24 died on their way down.
Contrast this to Everest, which saw 2,972 people reach the top by 2006, of which 54 perished.
To prepare for the climb, Dr Goh and Mr Siew have been undergoing special training at the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) for the last two weeks.
They strap on a mask that feeds them air with a reduced oxygen content, simulating the low oxygen levels on the mountain. SSC exercise physiologist Daniel Plews said that near the peak, there is about half as much oxygen as at sea level.
He noted that Dr Goh and Mr Siew are taking to the training very well. He said: 'Most people become incoherent from the lack of oxygen, but these two are still all smiles and giving me the thumbs-up when I ask if they are OK.'
This training method has been available for some time for athletes on endurance training. But this is the first time the SSC is using it to prepare mountaineers for climbs. If successful, it could be used for future climbs.
The expedition will cost the Singapore pair $140,000 and they are still trying to raise the funds to realise this dream.
weichean@sph.com.sg
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