Trip Reports from SCMA Members

Southern California Expedition to Dhaulagiri I, 1994
by SCMA Member Alois Smrz

In what promises to be one of 1994's most exciting expeditions, SCMA member Rich Henke will lead a group consisting of several SCMA past and present members in an attempt on Mount Dhaulagiri. At 26,795 ft (8167m), Dhaulagiri I is the 6th highest peak in the world. The mountain is located in the north central Nepal, not far from Pokhara and just across the Kali Gandaki River Gorge West of Annapurna.

The expedition will leave Los Angeles in late August 1994 for Kathmandu, Nepal. From there the team will travel by bus to Pokhara. The long trek from Pokhara to Tirkhe, Tukuche, the French Col and to the Base Camp will take close to two weeks. The team will attempt the North East Ridge route, a line first climbed by the Swiss in 1960. This normal route to its summit is one of the more difficult of all the 8000'ers. We plan to climb without sherpa or oxygen support and in capsule style. Members of the team include expedition leader and SCMA member Rich Henke, SCMA Members Peter Green, Miguel Carmona, Alois Smrz, past SCMA member Rick Taylor and friends Robert Green, Bryan Johnson M.D., Dave Custer and Ken Brumeld.

Raising the $50,000 dollars necessary for the expedition is a huge challenge in itself. Please consider purchasing a t-shirt to help us achieve this goal. Any monetary donations would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to buy a t-shirt or donate money, just pick up an SCMA roster and call one of the team members. The shirts are available in sizes M-XL and cost $15.00.

This trip marks the first time in present history that an expedition comprised mostly of SCMA members will attempt an 8,000 meter peak. The other time, RCS/SCMA Honorary member Nick Clinch led the only first ascent of 8,000 meter peak by Americans, when they climbed Pakistan's Hidden Peak in 1958.

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