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Australia's Everest expedition to leave Khatmandu today

A week after an Australian family of three was killed by an avalanche in Nepal, the Australian defence force's Everest expedition leaves Khatmandu today to start its assault on the world's tallest mountain.

South Asia correspondent Jonathan Harley reports.

CART: The Everest 2001 expedition plans to have conquered perhaps nature's greatest test by the end of May, but the expedition -- which is part of the Centenary of Federation celebrations -- was struck by tragedy during an acclimatisation trek along Nepal's Mount Annapurna trail. Forty-year-old Peter Syzpula, his partner, Michelle Hackett, aged 32 and her eight-year-old daughter, Kathleen, were killed by an avalanche last Saturday. Peter Syzpula's still missing as search operations continue. Despite concerns, the expedition may not go ahead, the team will set out by bus this morning for Nepal's border with China...before making their way to the Everest base camp. Jonathan Harley, Khatmandu.

31/03/01 11:01:19 | ABC Radio Australia News

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