Reaching the summit of the world’s highest mountain this March would not be the only challenge for the six-member Singapore Women’s Everest Team.

They are also in a race against time to raise $500,000 by February this year or else cut down on the number of climbers going for the expedition.

A smaller team would mean a slimmer chance of reaching the 8,850-metre Mt. Everest summit.

Youngest member and SWET leader, Jane Lee, said, “We are working on a very tight time-line because we hope to raise the funds by mid-February.”

However, the 23-year-old English Literature graduate from NUS said she remains confident of raising the money in time.

Lee said, “Right now we are optimistic about hitting $500,000. We have a few public outreach (fund-raising events) so there is still time.”

SWET is also raising money through an “Adopt-A-Metre” campaign. The public can donate at least $10 for every metre climbed.

The final 850 metres of the climb, known as the “Death Zone,” is opened for auction.

Fellow climber and NUS sociology graduate, Sim Yi Hui, said the expedition incurs high costs due to an array of charges levied.

The team is required to pay for permits and insurance to climb the mountain.

Equipment, medical supplies and wastes disposal charges incur hefty costs but are necessary to ensure the team’s safety and survival.

Sim, aged 25, said, “An oxygen tank costs about US$600 ($870) and each of us carries six tanks.”

The team’s success in reaching the summit is also dependent on hiring Mt. Everest guides. Known as “Sherpa,” these guides belong to the Himalayan ethnic group familiar with the mountain terrain.

This adds to the amount of provisions, such as food supplies, the team has to pay for.

The other four climbers include Lee Li Hui, Joanne Soo Lee Peh Gee, and Esther Tan.

As ex-residents of Eusoff Hall, Lee and Sim are relying on their alumni status for donations even though they do not receive direct sponsorship from NUS.

Associate professor and master of Eusoff Hall, Tan Tin Wee, had been assisting the team by requesting hall residents and alumni for financial contributions.

Lee and Sim have been involved in mountaineering since they were NUS undergraduates, and continue to use Eusoff Hall facilities to prepare for their expedition.

In an e-mail interview, Tan said, “We will continue to support them in whatever way possible. We have already tried to assist them in fund raising and publicity amongst Eusoffians old and new in the past and will continue to do so.”

Lee said, “Prof. Tan has been extremely helpful. He had been talking to the alumni about donations and invited us down as well (for talks). And they readily helped us.”

Besides the financial aspects of the climb, detailed planning for the expedition months in advance is to ensure the team is ready for the physical and mental challenge.

The team currently trains six sessions a week and have been climbing one mountain a year since 2004.

Their last climb, in August 2007, was up the 8,200-metre Cho Oyu, the sixth highest mountain in the world located in Nepal.

However, they are also pensive about the prospects of unforeseen circumstances such as foul weather and injury during the actual climbing phase.

Lee said, “Lots of things can happen. People fall sick, get injured or cannot do it. Acts of God cannot be predicted.”

Lee added that the team is hoping to raise sufficient funds for a contingency plan.

A back-up plan would allow them to make unexpected changes to their planned route and increase the chances of at least one climber reaching the peak.

Sim said, “As much as we can prepare for it, there is an element (of unpredictability) we cannot know for sure.”

Donations can be made at the Singapore Women's Everest Team web site: www.womenoneverest.com.