"The small lighter that helped ignite the torch can endure winds above 12-degree forces, or as low as 0.3 atmospheric pressure," Wan said, adding that the torch, lighter and lantern used to house an emergency back-up flame, as well as other devices, were developed through joint efforts of China's top-notch experts at the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp., the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tsinghua University and the National Mountaineers Team.

Head of the Olympic torch R&D group, former Vice President of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp., Xue Li, attributed the success to rapid progress of China's technical level and boundless efforts of his team after the May 8 torch ascent. In fact, the research panel had launched tests at the 8,844.43-meter high spot to modify designs and improve techniques twice in 2007, which finally enabled the flame to burn on the summit.

Tech support vital

An all-time weather pre-warning system was another great helper for the climbers, which enabled them to collect satellite pictures of cloud imagery, analyze data of observation stations built at various altitudes and give accurate forecasts.

Today modern mountaineering relies heavily on innovative information technologies, including high-quality equipment for maintaining contact with the base camp.

"Our laptops have gone through the blizzard test," said Chen Shaopeng, Vice President of Lenovo Group, in an interview with Xinhua News Agency.

On May 5, a snowstorm swept through the area where the base camp was located two days before the torch arrived. It was so heavy that all equipment in the tents were covered in ice and snow. When the snowstorm stopped, and it got warmer, technicians found the computers submerged in melting ice. "We dried them in the sun and they worked as good as new," Chen said.

Lenovo's major technical support was to build a command center at the 5,200-meter base camp, and a media center at 4,000 meters. At the world's highest media center, reporters of world-known news agencies transmitted clear pictures and live footage back through satellite signals and speedy network connections.

At dawn on May 8, nature cooperated, providing sunshine and a slight breeze. The well-equipped 19-member assault squad started along the North Slope, a traditional route used by most climbers. After six hours of trekking, they passed the Attack Camp at 8,300 meters, and cautiously moved through the notoriously dangerous Second Step between 8,600-8,700 meters, where they had to inch forward on slippery 40-degree slopes. At a spot 30 meters near the top, Tibetan climber Norbu Zhamdul opened the Olympic flame lantern, ignited the torch and passed it to the 39-year-old female mountaineer Gyigyi as the first bearer, who passed it to Wang Yongfeng, a veteran alpinist and head coach. Tsering Wangmo, a 22-year-old female mountaineer, the last of the five torchbearers, hoisted the sacred flame over her head at the 8,844.43-meter summit. The whole team cheered, along with reporters and cameramen, and unfurled Olympic and Chinese flags to celebrate the success, which lit the world passion and the Olympic dream of all Chinese.