Australia's Rolfe Oostra climbs Mt Cho-Oyu twice in 24 hours

Australian climber Rolfe Oostra on Mt Everest in last spring. File Photo
Australian climber Rolfe Oostra on Mt Everest in last spring. File Photo

KATHMANDU: An Australian climber has successfully climbed Mt Cho-Oyu (8,201 m), which lies in eastern Nepal bordering China, twice within 24 hours.

Rolfe Oostra stood atop the world’s sixth highest peak on Friday and Saturday, according to Marni Oostra, Managing Director at 360 Expeditions.

Rolfe, owner and head guide of 360 Expeditions, successfully climbed the peak along with his team members - Arthur and Kam – on Friday at 11:00 am.

But, it was not over for Rolfe. The renowned mountain guide made it to the second summit on Saturday morning as he reached the top of the peak along with two climbers - Charlene and Pa Dawa Sherpa.

“The team of four climbers headed out from Camp I with a plan to reach Camp II where Rolfe wanted to have a rest day before setting out for the summit on Thursday night, Marni quoted the climber as saying.

The Berghaus Ambassador spent the day climbing up to Camp II with Charlene while Kam, Arthur and Alex spent the day resting at Camp II on Thursday. “The weather was extremely cold and the wind was snappy and gusty.” After a 10-hour climb, they reached the summit early morning on Friday.

Rolfe set out for another attempt with Charlene and Pa Dawa after getting out of his tent at Camp I at 10 pm, Marni shared. The weather looked okay and this was their best shot before a storm was predicted to hit.

Alex however realised that it wasn’t to be good for him to continue climb up to the summit and he turned back leaving Rolfe, Charlene and Pa Dawa.

Australian climber Rolfe Oostra on Mt Everest in last spring. File Photo
Australian climber Rolfe Oostra on Mt Everest in last spring. File Photo

 

“The trio made it to summit on Saturday morning,” Marni said. The team left Camp II and has been descending safely to the advance base camp on Sunday. “Rolfe just texted to us saying they were nearly at Camp I as the peak witnessed two impressive avalanches en route,” Marni added.

In the last spring, Rolfe also summitted Mt Everest along with his team, according to Bhola Paudel, Managing Director at Himalayan Guides Treks and Adventure as his company locally provides logistics to the 360 Expeditions.

Rolfe is an impressive human machine that loves the mountains – loves the peacefulness and the beauty of them.

“This is his life and to some degrees just another day in the life of Rolfe! He has been in mountaineering since he was 17 years old and rock climbing since he was 12.”

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