SummitClimb Everest - Lhotse International Expedition 2005: Our Deepest Condolences to the Obrien Family, and All of Mike's Loved Ones and Friends

Mike and Chris (foreground) walked up to the Lhotse face one day at 6750 meters to check out the route. The weather was very windy and snowy, and the climbers in the photo are being chased down by spindrift avalanches. Mike and Chris chose to return to camp 2 to wait for better weather, before climbing the face.

Our Deepest Condolences to the Obrien Family, and All of Mike's Loved Ones and Friends. All of us at the SummitClimb Everest-Lhotse expedition would like to send our deepest condolences to the Obrien Family, and all of Mike's loved ones and friends. We are so sad about

what happened, and all of us here miss Mike very much.

Michael Corey O'Brien

23, December, 1965, Age 39.

From Oswego, New York

Lived in Seattle, Washington, together with his girlfriend

Climbed to the technical summit of Mounts Kenya, together with brother Chris. Climbed high-altitude and extensive fixed -rope Cho Oyu, sixth highest peak in the world, together with brother Chris in September, 2000.

Training climbed a lot around Seattle in the Cascades. Taught week long Glacier Training Schools for new students, and was admired

and liked by so many of them.

Passed away in the icefall a few hundred meters above basecamp, 1 May, 2005, around 4:30 pm.

17 Sherpas from many expeditions helped in the retrieval of Mike's body to basecamp, and we are extremely grateful to them. Thank you very much.

We held a memorial ceremony in basecamp for Mike's passing. Our Sherpas conducted a Buddhist Puja, or prayer ceremony, led by our Buddhist Lama (cleric) and staff member, Kanuri Sherpa. One of our team members, Mark Merwin, made a memorial plaque. We plan to carry the plaque to the top of Dugla Hill, and build a chorten, where Mike's memorial will join the community of the many climbers who have died on Everest and other Khumbu mountains.

After the buddhist prayer ceremony, we climbed atop the helicopter pad in basecamp, and lit a bonfire, and the members and sherpas stood around the fire and recollected memories of their time with Mike, and Clay Clarke recited the Lord's prayer,

Our Father, Who Art in Heaven, Hallowed Be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done....

Our most sincere and sorrowful condolences, over the passing of Mike O'Brien, from the Everest - Lhotse expedition, everyone at SummitClimb, and all of us who knew and loved Mike very much. Mike, you were our friend and we miss you very much. My God Rest Your Soul. Amen.

Dispatches

Below please find the team rosters for the Everest and Lhotse expeditions and the Everest basecamp trek.

FAMILY NAME, First Name, country of origin,  Trip Name, leader

EVEREST-NEPAL-EXPEDITION

MR. CLARKE, Clay, USA, Everest

MR. COSTER, Arnold, Netherlands, Everest, leader

MR. FRANKELIUS, Johan, Sweden, Everest

MR. MAZUR, Daniel, England, and USA, Everest, leader

MR. O'BRIEN (CHRIS), USA, Everest

MR. O'BRIEN (MIKE), USA, Everest

MR. VOIGT, Jens, Germany, Everest

LHOTSE-NEPAL-EXPEDITION

MR. BACH, James Anugata, USA, Lhotse

MR. BARILLA, Jason, Kripabindu, USA, Lhotse

MR. BARLOW, George, USA, Lhotse

MR. BOURDEAU, Pierre, Canada, Lhotse

MR. BROILI, Ben, USA, Lhotse

MR. EDMONDS, Shane, USA, Lhotse, leader

MR. FALAHEY, Blair, Australia, Lhotse

MR. GARCIA, Joao, Portugal, Lhotse

MR. GAUTHIER, Jowan, Portugal, Lhotse

MR. HAGGE, Malte, Australia, Lhotse

MR. KAUSCH, Max, Argentina, Lhotse, leader

MR. MAZUR, Daniel, England and USA, Lhotse, leader

MR. MERWIN, Mark, USA, Lhotse, leader

MR. MEYRING, Gary, USA, Lhotse

MR. SANTOS, Helder, Portugal, Lhotse

MR. THOMAS (JASON), USA, Lhotse, leader

MR. THOMAS (WILLIAM), USA, Lhotse

MR. THURLEY, Kay, Germany, Lhotse, leader

MR. WIGDERSON, Eyal, Israel, Lhotse, leader

EVEREST-NEPAL-BASECAMP-TREK

MR. AMBROSIUS, Kelly, USA, Basecamp Trek

MS. CARDINAL, France, Canada, Basecamp Trek

MR. DELISANTI, Rip, USA, Basecamp Trek

MR. EMERY, Tom, USA, Basecamp Trek

MS. MOORE, Melissa, South Africa, Basecamp Trek

MS. NEORR, Karen, USA, Basecamp Trek

MS. OLSEN, Colleen, USA, Basecamp Trek

MS. ROBINSON, Jenni, USA, Basecamp Trek

MS. ROTHENBERG, Maja, Germany, Basecamp Trek

MR. SCHAEFFER, Kelly, USA, Basecamp Trek

MR. STROHMAYER, Paul, USA, Basecamp Trek

MS. TE HENNEPE, Elselien, Netherlands, Basecamp trek, leader

MR. TONOZZI, Pat, USA, Basecamp Trek

Dispatches

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.

A cold weather, high altitude double boot for extreme conditions The Olympus Mons is the perfect choice for 8000-meter peaks. This super lightweight double boot has a PE thermal insulating inner boot that is coupled with a thermo-reflective outer boot with an integrated gaiter. We used a super insulating lightweight PE outsole to keep the weight down and the TPU midsole is excellent for crampon compatibility and stability on steep terrain. WEIGHT: 39.86 oz • 1130 g LAST: Olympus Mons CONSTRUCTION: Inner: Slip lasted Outer: Board Lasted OUTER BOOT: Cordura® upper lined with dual-density PE micro-cellular thermal insulating closed cell foam and thermo-reflective aluminium facing/ Insulated removable footbed/ Vibram® rubber rand See more here.

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