Park to Open `Korean Routes` on 14 Himalayan Peaks

Champion mountaineer Park Young-seok yesterday announced his plan to open “Korean routes” at the 14 tallest mountains in the Himalayas rising above 8,000 meters.

Park, 46, conquered Mount Everest yet again via the southwestern wall along with his three teammates Wednesday.

“Though we have developed a new route via the southwestern wall, which is notorious for roughness, we have just developed only one Korean route in the Himalayas," he said. "I will continue to challenge and conquer the remaining 13 tallest mountains rising above 8,000 meters in the Himalayas via new routes.”

Park first scaled Everest in 1993, K2 in 2001, and the 14 tallest mountains in the Himalayas. He has announced his intent to climb the 14 highest mountains in the Himalayas again for the first time in eight years, unprecedented in the history of global mountaineering.

“I expect my goal will take around 10 years to attain. Beginning with Mount Makalu next spring, I will climb one or two peaks a year on a gradual basis,” he said.

“I know it`s a tough challenge to climb all 14 mountains via new routes, but I think it`s worth trying because it`s a difficult goal to attain.”

hic@donga.com