SKi8000 expedition 2004: Update one

We start the trek at 1500 meters, it really feels great to be in the mountains and moving again. The last week has been nothing but packing and traveling...

Now we are in Langtang village, at 3400 meters. The military posts disable us to make any film shots. To film in this area a very expensive permit is needed... Of course, cheaper options also exist.

Tomorrow we will walk up to almost 3800 meters. We hope to use our ski's for the first time somewhere in the next few days. Getting close to the real stuff...

Update 3/11/2004: Acclimatizing is going very well! We are now in Kyangin Gompa, at 3800 meters. The past days we have made some acclimatizing treks. Yesterday, we climbed Tsergo Ri (4984 m) and today we climbed up to Naya Kang base camp. We dropped some loads up there, including our skis!

Everybody is feeling very well and we are enjoying being in the mountains. A couple days ago, Herman was sick and had a tough night. He recuperated quickly (he's a doctor!).

Tomorrow we will climb back up to base camp and use our ski's! We have spotted some very nice couloirs! We will stay at higher altitudes the next days to lets our bodies get use to the thin air.

We'll keep you posted!

3/15/2004: We have had some great days since the last update! We climbed up to base camp where we had a beautiful camp site. Setting up our tents on high rocks and very nice views. The next day we climbed up to a high camp at 4850 meters, above the summit of Mont Blanc (4808 m). We all feel relatively OK. This means acclimatising is going well. Of course, we all have minor headaches and sleep bad once and a while, but Herman says it's all OK.

The first day from high camp we climbed up to 5000 meters and had some good skiing. While we were skiing, we spotted some very nice couloirs... So the next day we went back up, into a steep couloir. Early in the morning we arrived at the top of the couloir. It feels so good to be climbing again, and we are about to ski down a 46 degree (thank you Suunto) couloir. The snow is good and we enjoy!

Afterwards, we skied down to Kyangin Gompa (3780 m). We all felt tired, but a surprise package helped us back up again.

Its now a two day walk from where we will take the bus to Kathmandu. We feel ready for the Cho Oyu, especially because the past two weeks have been good. Final preparations will take place and we will head off towards base camp on the 23rd.

Dispatches

SKi8000 expedition 2004 Dispatch Index

 

Millet One Sport Everest Boot  has made some minor changes by adding more Kevlar. USES Expeditions / High altitude / Mountaineering in extremely cold conditions / Isothermal to -75°F Gore-Tex® Top dry / Evazote Reinforcements with aramid threads. Avg. Weight: 5 lbs 13 oz Sizes: 5 - 14 DESCRIPTION Boot with semi-rigid shell and built-in Gore-Tex® gaiter reinforced by aramid threads, and removable inner slipper Automatic crampon attachment Non-compressive fastening Double zip, so easier to put on Microcellular midsole to increase insulation Removable inner slipper in aluminized alveolate Fiberglass and carbon footbed Cordura + Evazote upper Elasticated collar. Expedition footwear for mountaineering in conditions of extreme cold.  NOTE US SIZES LISTED. See more here.

Altitude pre-
   acclimatization

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   Atlas snowshoes

   Black Diamond

   Botas

   Brunton

   Carabiners

   CaVa Climbing Shoes
   Clearance

   Clif Bar

   Cloudveil

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   Edelweiss ropes
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   Featured

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   Garmin

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   Katadyn

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   and more here