By Rachel Chan

WHEN insurance planner Linda Tan, 28, was making her way up Mount Everest in March, the team she had split from was saddled with fundraising woes.

While she got the $50,000 needed for her own climb (although she did not make it to the top), her former kakis (pals) from the Singapore Women's Everest Team (Swet) had raised only one-fifth of the $500,000 needed for all six members to go on the expedition.

But it's now go-ahead for the women's summit bid, thanks to a title sponsorship from the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (Natas). Now known as Natas Swet, the team may become Singapore's first women to conquer the world's highest peak.

While no exact figures were revealed, Natas chief executive officer Robert Khoo said at a press conference yesterday that the non-profit organisation will pay for the team's climbing permits, sherpa guides and logistical needs, among other costs.

"The girls will pay us back in kind until end-2010," said Mr Khoo. For Natas' 30th anniversary, they will also be involved in a series of charity and social- work events. With that sponsorship, the girls are short of only $50,000, said team leader and student development officer Jane Lee.

Climbing Everest is a costly undertaking, with one permit costing US$10,000 (S$15,094).

Before Natas stepped in, the team ? comprising Jane Lee, 24; training facilitator Sim Yihui, 26; copywriter Esther Tan, 26; pharmaceutical-product specialist Lee Lihui, 27; business owner Joanne Soo, 38; and army officer Lee Peh Gee, 32 ? had taken turns to trawl social-networking sessions for potential sponsors.

Out of every 100 firms approached, only two would respond, Ms Jane Lee recalled. SilkAir and Campers' Corner will sponsor their airfare and climbing gear, respectively.

Asked whether Natas had second thoughts about sponsoring the team to climb the 8,850m peak in view of the financial crisis, Mr Khoo said they would "still have gone ahead".

Natas deputy president Jimmy Ooi added: "When the women's team succeeds on this mission, Singapore will have every reason to celebrate."

Ms Jane Lee said that with the sponsorship, the team could now ascend Everest in March next year, according to schedule.

They had already acclimatised to altitudes above 8,000m by climbing Cho Oyu (8,201m) in Tibet in September last year.

Unfortunately, the effects of acclimatisation fade within six months. This means that they "need to climb another mountain in December to get acclimatised again", she said.

Four of them will climb Camel Mountain (5,484m) in Sichuan, and two will scale Naya Kanga (5,844m) in Nepal. The team will leave Singapore in March, and aims to summit Everest in mid-May.

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