Alpine Ascents Cho Oyu 2005: French toast

Update: August 4- ABC: A big hello from ABC! We made it into ABC yesterday late afternoon with no further issues getting the yak drivers up. It was a very pleasant day- perfect temperatures due to a bit of cloud cover yet plenty of sunshine. The whole team is feeling great this morning after our first night here at 18,500 ft. We even had most members sleeping well- a great sign for this altitude.

We’ve had a lazy morning. Coffee, bacon, French toast accompanied by background tunes. I think the team wasn’t expecting such a comfortable experience here at ABC. The comfort is certainly a nice accompaniment to the difficulty of getting our bodies adjusted to the altitude. Mike and Kevin are currently embattled in a backgammon session that keeps going each time one of them pulls one win ahead. Don is resting and most likely reading in his tent. Tony and Suzanne are off checking out the ABC where most groups set up. We are a bit “out of town”. On the wrong side of the tracks really- which suits this team.

Our staff is constructing the chorten or centerpiece for our puja. Along with myself and the 5 members we have 5 others working on this expedition. The first of course is Lakpa Rita, sirdar and co-guide. We have 2 Sherpa climbing with us- Mingma Tshering and Tshering Dorje. Our cook is Dilbahdur Thapa Magar, or Gopal for short. Finally Lhakchung, a Tibetan, is helping out as our kitchen boy as he has done the past few seasons.

We’ll be spending the night in ABC for approximately the next 5 days so the team will be in contact with those back home.

All our best,
Dave and the team
 

Updates

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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