The independent home of the case method - and a charity. Make an impact and  donate

Product details

Product details
By continuing to use our site you consent to the use of cookies as described in our privacy policy unless you have disabled them.
You can change your cookie settings at any time but parts of our site will not function correctly without them.
Case
-
Reference no. 420-0040-1
Published by: Case-Study Alliance Turkey
Published in: 2020
Notes: This item is part of a free case collection. For terms & conditions go to www.thecasecentre.org/freecaseterms

Abstract

On 27 March 2006, a Turkish team of 11 mountaineers, led by the seasoned climber Serhan Poçan, arrived at the foot of the Himalayas with three targets in mind: (1) The first Turkish national team ascent to the summit of Mt. Everest; (2) The first Turkish woman ascent to the summit of Mt. Everest; (3) The first ascent from Turkey to be made without the help of supplemental oxygen. After weeks of preparations, acclimatisation, and trial approaches, on 15 May four team members including one woman reached the summit, which marked the accomplishment of two targets leaving only one open - the first ascent from Turkey to be made without the help of supplemental oxygen. Although the team had already withdrawn from this target and having achieved the other two, the leader decided the remaining team have to reach the summit as well. This decision was a challenge, however, since four team members were suffering health problems including one who fainted during the final summit push and had to climb down to the ABC (advanced base camp) escorted by two other climbers and the sherpas. Despite the complication, the team leader Poçan announced that the team would have another trial with all the rest of the climbers who had not reached the summit. This was a bold decision as the Sherpa team refused to continue the climb citing religious reasons, some of the team members were discouraged by the death of two good friends from other expedition teams in the previous two days, and the "good weather window" would only last about 10 days - possibly too short for the sick ones to recover and climb up to top. The expedition resumed nevertheless, and on 24 May, just before the weather was about to turn bad, all the remaining six climbers reached the summit of Mt. Everest and returned to the ABC safely. The 2006 Turkish Mt. Everest Expedition Team had achieved its pre-set targets.

Teaching and learning

This item is suitable for undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education courses.

Time period

The events covered by this case took place in 2006.

Geographical setting

Region:
World/global
Country:
China
Location:
Tibet

Featured protagonist

  • Serhan Poçan (male), Team leader

About

Abstract

On 27 March 2006, a Turkish team of 11 mountaineers, led by the seasoned climber Serhan Poçan, arrived at the foot of the Himalayas with three targets in mind: (1) The first Turkish national team ascent to the summit of Mt. Everest; (2) The first Turkish woman ascent to the summit of Mt. Everest; (3) The first ascent from Turkey to be made without the help of supplemental oxygen. After weeks of preparations, acclimatisation, and trial approaches, on 15 May four team members including one woman reached the summit, which marked the accomplishment of two targets leaving only one open - the first ascent from Turkey to be made without the help of supplemental oxygen. Although the team had already withdrawn from this target and having achieved the other two, the leader decided the remaining team have to reach the summit as well. This decision was a challenge, however, since four team members were suffering health problems including one who fainted during the final summit push and had to climb down to the ABC (advanced base camp) escorted by two other climbers and the sherpas. Despite the complication, the team leader Poçan announced that the team would have another trial with all the rest of the climbers who had not reached the summit. This was a bold decision as the Sherpa team refused to continue the climb citing religious reasons, some of the team members were discouraged by the death of two good friends from other expedition teams in the previous two days, and the "good weather window" would only last about 10 days - possibly too short for the sick ones to recover and climb up to top. The expedition resumed nevertheless, and on 24 May, just before the weather was about to turn bad, all the remaining six climbers reached the summit of Mt. Everest and returned to the ABC safely. The 2006 Turkish Mt. Everest Expedition Team had achieved its pre-set targets.

Teaching and learning

This item is suitable for undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education courses.

Settings

Time period

The events covered by this case took place in 2006.

Geographical setting

Region:
World/global
Country:
China
Location:
Tibet

Featured protagonist

  • Serhan Poçan (male), Team leader

Related