Jeju climbers were among the first group ever to make it to the summit of China’s Nyambo Konka, a 6,144-meter peak in Sichuan Province. Mike Laidman reports

Steep, rocky cliffs are blanketed in white snow. Hikers climb the dangerous route with care, perfectly aware that at times there is only a rope separating them from death. Their progress is slow as they break their way through the ice with pickaxes.

SYNC
“The base camp is covered in a sea of clouds.”
<싱크>
"아 지금 베이스캠프에는 운해(雲海)가 깔려있습니다."

These hikers are risking their lives to summit.

[slug]
Jeju climbers summit China’s Nyambo Konka

After a treacherous climb, they reach the peak, 6,144 meters above sea level. They are the first people to ever reach the top, and so they plant a Korean flag.

The team consists of 10 members from the Korean and Jeju Climbing Federations. They departed Korea on the 14th of October and reached the peak 2 weeks later.

They built their base camp at 4,000 meters and camp 1 at 5,000 meters. Then, on the 27th, they reached the peak after a final one-and-a-half-day climb.

[INTERVIEW]
Kang Sung-kyu / Team Leader
It was a great pleasure to be among other Jeju people as we made our way up Nyambo Konka in Sichuan Province, China.
<인터뷰 : 강성규 / 니암보공가 원정대장>
"중국 쓰촨성에 있는 미답봉을 제주도민들이 가면서 새로운 기회의 땅으로 만들고 새로운 길을 만든데 큰 기쁨을 얻었습니다."

The climb is a not an easy one. Falling rocks caused many American and New Zealand climbers to have to abandon their efforts.

[CAMERA]
Hyun Gwang-hoon

What makes this summiting especially noteworthy is that the climbers carried their own gear without any outside help. This meant they also had to clear any obstacles they encountered.

[INTERVIEW]
Kim Young-yong / Head climber
We climbed a very difficult course. There were rockslides every day. I believe we were able to make it because we all worked together and no one got injured.
<인터뷰 : 김영용 / 니암보공가 등반대장>
"이번 코스는 정말 낙석, 하루에도 수백개씩 돌덩이가 떨어지는 난코스였는데 아무도 안 다치고 모든 대원들이 열심히 해준 덕분에
-----수퍼체인지-----
올라갈 수 있었다고 생각합니다."

[REPORTER]
Mike Laidman

Next year, the team plans on challenging Mt. Dhaulagiri in the Himalayas, a staggering 8,167 meters high.

Mike Laidman, KCTV