zengshan：TMTS

自由的风

zengshan：TMTS
Tibet is synonymous with mountaineering. Everest, the tallest mountain in the world, lies half in Tibet. Tibet has three major mountain ranges, the largest being the Himalayan. There are five peaks over 8000 meters and more than 200 peaks over 7000 meters. Given the great diversity of peaks and geography in Tibet it is possible to climb year-round. Tibet is a climber’s paradise, offering almost anything for those whom wish to pursue the tallest in the world to those looking for remote, unclimbed, technical challenges. Until recently domestic climbing services were nearly non-existent. Foreign expeditions brought their own equipment, cooks, climbing Sherpas and porters from outside Tibet, primarily Nepal. Due to a lack of organization and professional training, local Tibetans could only provide basic services.
To solve the shortage of competent Tibetan personnel, the Tibet Mountaineering Association (TMA) and Ozark Outdoor Gear joined forces to form the Tibet Mountaineering Training School (TMTS) in 1999. They created a comprehensive system to train local Tibetans the skills and services necessary for working on mountaineering expeditions. This new market is helping the development of the local economy and improve the life of the Tibetan people. The TMA and Ozark Outdoor Gear built the school and the Federation Francaise de la Montagne et de I’Escalade (FFME) supplies technical assistance. In March of 1999 the first twenty students were selected from rural areas in Tibet. The success of these students and strong cooperation between government, private enterprise, and international assistance led to a second class of 23 students admitted in 2002. All students are schooled in English and Chinese, and selected students study Japanese or French. The school provides intensive training in rock and ice climbing techniques, rope skills, safety, and general mountaineering skills (camp management, logistical planning, weather, and more). Selected students were sent to France and Beijing for further advanced training on subjects such as high altitude techniques and mountain rescue. As of present the School’s full-time teachers and instructors come from the Tibet Mountaineering Team, Tibet Sport School, and Tibet University.

Recent graduates from the school have achieved the following status:
· Climbing guide (six students have achieved this position)
· High-altitude support climber/trekking guide (eight students have achieved this position)
· Support staff/cook (Fifteen students have achieved this position. Five of these also double as cooks)

Amongst the second class of students, 18 are from small rural villages near the Himalayan – Tingri, Naylam, and Jilong villages. The Qinghai Mountaineering Association sent the remaining five. All are young men between 16 and 20 years old. With the help of FFME, TMTS has set up three rock climbing areas of varying difficulty on cliffs around Lhasa. This is where the students train and these areas will also serve as future sites to teach climbers from all over China. During 2001 and 2002 TMTS sent three students to the China Mountaineering Association’s training base near Beijing for advanced rock climbing techniques. After they returned TMTS ran training courses for Tibet University’s mountaineering and rock climbing team.

TMTS helped organize a team of Chinese amateurs to climb Everest during the 50th Anniversary Chinese Everest Expedition, spring 2003. This was the first time in history a team of amateur Chinese climbers attempted Everest. The immense publicity received during this event boosted the reputation and exposure of the school. Many of the students worked on the mountain, six summated, and the success of the expedition depended on them.

TMTS received immeasurable support From the Central government and Tibet Autonomous Region. The Central government approved a project in 2000 to build the TMTS a completely new campus. The new campus will be completed by November of 2003, including an international standard climbing wall.

We have great confidence in the future of TMTS. We are training young Tibetans at the standards of FFME in all aspects of mountaineering work. We are working to create a school that lives up to international standards, one that can service the diverse needs of foreign expeditions. TMTS will also run courses in different aspects of mountaineering to meet the demands of the Chinese climbing community. We are striving to create model guides, alpine instructors, and mountain workers for the 21st century

本贴由zengshan于2003年9月20日23:22:15在〖岩与酒〗发表.