A mountaineering expedition from southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region is ready to set off for a mission to scale the world's 11th highest peak Mount Gasherbrum I, the expedition chief told Xinhua in Lhasa on Tuesday.

The expedition has scaled 13 high peaks in the world that rise 8,000 meters and higher. The 8,068-meter Mt. Gasherbrum I at the Sino-Pakistani border is the last such peak the team has targeted.

The autonomous region's expedition attempted on the peak from the Pakistani side in 1995, but they had to give up their efforts due to bad weather.

The 10 climbers of the team had completed a four-month-long physical and tactical training that started from late last December, team captain Sangchu said.

The team and individual climbing gear, food and other supplies have been air-lift to Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, southwestern China, he said.

The Chinese climbers will leave here on Thursday for Urumchi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where they will enrich their food, medicine and other supplies before flying to Islamabad in mid-May.

The expedition plans to reach the mountain area in early June to seek best weather conditions for their summit efforts.

"We are confident to complete our 'Grand Slam' efforts of scaling the world's all the 14 high peaks 8,000m and higher," the expedition chief added.

(Xinhua News Agency May 4, 2005)