Myanmar – American Friendship Gamlang Razi Expedition With the aim of
promoting friendship between Myanmar and America, a seven-member
mountaineering team comprising five Americans and two Myanmar
nationals is scheduled to climb Mount Gamlang Razi in northern Myanmar
on 13th August 2013 under the sponsorship of Htoo Foundation. The team
comprises:
1. Andy Tyson (American Team Leader)
2. Molly Loomis Tyson (American Member)
3. Chris Nance (American Member)
4. Mark Fisher (American Member)
5. Eric Daft (American Member)
6. Pyae Phyo (Myanmar Member)
7. Ko Win Ko( Myanmar Member )
Htoo Foundation’s objectives of sponsoring the Mount Gamlang Razi
Expedition are:
1. To protect and preserve the natural environment of Mount Gamlang Razi
region, the birthplace of Ayeyarwaddy River which is the lifeline of
Myanmar.
2. To contribute to the development of the region historically inhabited by
Tibeto-Burmese, an ethnic Myanmar minority. (There is only one Tibeto-
Burman by the name of U Aung Choh in that region who is able to speak the
Tibeto-Burman dialect. Htoo Foundation is making arrangements for the
preservation of Tibeto-Burman dialect and culture as well as its
dissemination among Tibeto-Burman in the region with the cooperation of
U Aung Choh and Myanmar linguists at Htoo Foundation’s Free Education
School in Putao).
3.To maintain Hkakabo Razi National Park by engaging internationally
recognized Park Rangers with the collaboration of Gamlang Razi Expedition
members.
4. According to the topographical photos generated by the American and
Russian explorers, Mount Gamlang Razi is known to be 90 feet higher than
Mount Hkakabo Razi which at present is recognized as South-East Asia’s
highest mountain. Upon reaching the summit, the Gamlang Razi Expedition
will measure the actual height of Mount Gamlang Razi using the most
sophisticated GPS devices, and if their measurement proved that the
topographical photos were correct, a new record for the highest peak in
South-East Asia will be established.
5. To utilize the friendship between Myanmar and America gained from
Gamlang Razi Expedition as a platform for further strengthening mutual
cooperation between the two countries in the fields of education and culture.
Htoo Foundation donated kyats 50 lakhs to Myanmar Mountaineering
Association in Commemoration of Myanmar American friendship Gamlang
Razi Expedition on the 11th August at Kandawgyi Hotel. The donation was
accepted by Dr Khin Maung ,Secretary of Myanmar
MountaineeringÂÂÂÂÂÂ Association.