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Interview with Roz Rozani Maarof shares his vision on the Paldor 2004 project. Q: Why did MOSS start this project? Roz: Quite a number of Singaporeans have been to New Zealand, India and other countries for basic mountaineering courses. Afterwards, they just carry on to join commercial guided climbing trips. Most of them still don't have the know-how to organise and plan for their own climb or expedition, although some would like to. So there is a need to introduce this group of people to alpinism - the more self-reliant approach to mountaineering. Q: Why climb Paldor? Why not some other more well-known trekking peak like Island Peak or Mera Peak? R: Most people don't realise that certain mountains are too high for individuals who are trying to learn and hone mountaincraft. Island and Mera Peaks are indeed worthwhile objectives in their own right. But on these mountains, novices would tend to be too taxed trying to cope with the altitude, much less try to learn and put into practice serious alpine skills. Eventually, they become too dependant on their guide or sherpa on the entire expedition. Paldor is about 5,900m, a reasonable challenge but not too high. Besides the main summit, there are lots of small pinnacles in the vicinity for some interesting mixed climbing. Q: How did you pick these team members? R: This is my pilot project. I was looking for people with a proven track record for working well together as a team. As a start, I roped in our club members from MOSS. And these members on the team -- they have substantial climbing experience on natural rock, and have taken their own initiatives in the past to gain some exposure to the mountain environment, indicating they are keen to make the transition from just rock-climbing to alpine mountaineering. Q: What challenges do these newbies face when they finally go alpine in Paldor? R: Altitude and cold temperature. It's going to be a new thing for all of them to work AND climb at more than 5,000m. They will need to spend 5 nights in a tent at high camp, cook their own meals in the cold, and start as early at 3am for the summit push. All these at high-altitude means they will get tired fast. Q: what do you think of them right now? Do you think they'll make it? R: Currently, they have quite some technical knowledge already. In terms of fitness, they have to work hard. I've planned a physical fitness training programme that they have to stick to till the expedition itself.
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