Everest torch climb nears summit: state media

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

BEIJING (AFP) — A team of Chinese climbers carrying the Olympic flame was nearing the summit of Mount Everest on Thursday, after hours earlier launching their ascent of the world's highest mountain, state media said.

The team set out at 3:00 am (1900 GMT Wednesday) for the top of the 8,848-metre (29,198-foot) Himalayan mountain, Xinhua news agency reported.

The climbers have reached 8,800 metres and are expected to hit the summit at about 10:00 am (0200 GMT), Xinhua said in several dispatches.

Heavy snow and high winds had delayed China's attempt to carry a special high-altitude torch to the top of Everest, located partly in troubled Tibet.

China's plan -- part of its Olympic torch relay ahead of the Beijing Games -- became particularly controversial...