UK scientists to drill world s highest Khumbu glacier

London April 11 (IANS) UK-based scientists are set to travel to the Himalayas in a bid to become the first team to successfully drill through the world s highest glacier the media reported on Tuesday.

The group from Aberystwyth University Wales will use a drill adapted from a car wash to cut into the Khumbu glacier in the foothills of the Everest the BBC reported.

They will work at an altitude of 5 000 metres in the hope of finding out how climate change affects Khumbu.

Project leader Professor Bryn Hubbard said there will be particular challenges.

The 17-km long glacier in north eastern Nepal flows from as high as 7 600 metres down to 4 900 metres and is often used by climbers on their way to the Everest base-camp.

Working in the field is challenging at best but this mission presents some particular challenges the BBC quoted Hubbard as saying.

We don t know how well our equipment will perform at altitude let alone how we will be able to contend with the thin air.

Half of the team s 1 500 kg equipment will be airlifted on to the glacier by helicopter in several trips while the other half will be carried by Sherpas.

--IANS
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