Only four climbing expeditions decided to try their luck in the Nepali Himalaya this winter. Five climbers from the Himalayan Guide Winter Amadablam Expedition and three from the Jagged Globe Winter Amadablam Expedition reached the summit of Mt. Amadablam in the first week of December. Two members of a Korean expedition also made the summit of the 6812m peak the same week.

A10-member Polish International Makalu Expedition is presently attempting to climb the world's fifth highest peak considered by many the most formidable and inspiring mountain in the Himalaya. Expedition leader Krzysztof Wielicki will attempt a repeat ascent on the 8463m peak. "Wielicki is attempting the west pillar, a seldom tried route. It is exceedingly difficult, a very steep pillar," says Kathamndu-based mountaineering correspondent Elizabeth Hawley.

Wielicki, one of the first group of climbers to accomplish a winter ascent of Everest, is the fifth person to summit all 14 eight thousand-metre peaks in the world. Seven people have climbed the world's 14 eight-thousand metre peaks since Reinhold Messner managed the feat in 1986. "One other person claims to have done all fourteen. But one ascent is not confirmed," says Hawley.