Mt. Everest 2005: Big Green Everest Expedition: at high camp and expected to head up for it

Update June 1, 2005: "Big Green", as they appear to be known on the mountain, arrived at high camp yesterday. They ere expected to try to head up with the others, last night...

Update: Update 05/25: Advanced Base Camp - Monday, May 26, 9:45 AM (Climb Day 43)

Yesterday Greg and Dan climbed Lhakpa Ri, a 23,000 foot peak across the glacier from ABC. At its summit they had a good view of Everest and the Northeast Ridge.  Snow plumes streamed off the of Everest indicating high winds. Nonetheless, their forecast for lighter winds starting May 28 appears to be holding. BGE plans to move up to the North Col today or tomorrow.  If the weather continues to improve they will move up the North Ridge and position for a summit bid. The team's health remains good.  The are rested, ready and eager to get on with it.

Earlier Update: Advanced Base Camp - Saturday, May 14, 9:30 AM (Climb Day 33)

Greg and Dan made the trek to ABC on May 13 (CD 32) arriving late in the day.  They met with Ang Mingma and Mingma Dorjee, BGE's Sherpas, who had just come back from their carry up the North Ridge.  The Sherpas had planned to take oxygen and equipment up to Camp 3, the highest camp, but were turned back by high winds.   They made it to Camp 2 only to find BGE's equipment tent destroyed by the wind.  Thanks to Greg no equipment was lost; he had the foresight to tie down the equipment inside the tent before they left on May 1 (CD 20). Ang Mingma and Mingma Dorjee will rest a day or two and then go up the Ridge to replace the tent at Camp 2 and take the oxygen and equipment to Camp 3.  Dan and Greg will stay at ABC. They have learned it is impossible to keep up the near super-human Sherpas.

BGE plans to sit tight at ABC for now. Their Sherpas will need a day or two rest when they come down from the Ridge. The next possible summit window is forecast for May 19 - 22.  BGE will be ready.

Advanced Base Camp - Monday, May 16, 8:30 AM (Climb Day 35): Ang Mingma and Mingma Dorjee are back at ABC after completing their carry to Camp 3. They reported difficult conditions due to the high wind. Other Sherpas are making equipment carries to the North Ridge camps, but no one is moving up for a summit bid.  Teams remain at ABC or BC waiting for a summit window to open. BGE is as eager to summit as anyone, however, they are resolved not to move until a solid summit window opens.

Dispatches

Built to handle a myriad of different climbing pursuits, the Ultralight Universal is our best selling crampon. This crampon lives for trekking, glacier travel, or steep couloirs and snowfields. Totally adjustable Zytel straps make this crampon durable and easy to use. Fits everything from moon boots to flip-flops, our lightest crampon available. Weight: 590g Points: 10. See more here.

   Ascenders

   Atlas snowshoes

   Atomic

   Black Diamond

   Botas

   Brunton

   Carabiners

   CaVa Climbing Shoes

   Chaco

   Clearance

   Clif Bar

   Cloudveil

   CMI

   Crampons

   Edelweiss ropes
   Eureka Tents

   Exofficio

   Featured

   FoxRiver

   Garmin

   Granite Gear

   Harnesses
   Headlamps

   Hestra
   Helmets

   HighGear

   HornyToad
   Ice Axes

   Julbo

   Kavu Eyewear

   Katadyn

   Kelty

   Kong

   Lekisport

   Life is Good

   Lowa

   Lowe Alpine

   Lowepro

   Millet

   Motorola

   Mountain Hardwear

   Mountainsmith

   MSR

   Nalgene

   New England Ropes

   Nikwax

   Omega

   Patagonia

   Pelican

   Petzl

   PowerBar

   Princeton Tec

   Prescription Glacier

   Glasses

   Primus

   Rope Bags

   Salomon

   Scarpa

   Seattle Sports

   Serius
   Sleeping Bags

   Stubai

   Suunto

   Tents

   Teva

   Thermarest

   Trango

   Tool Logic

   Trekking Poles
   Yaktrax
   and more here