Mt. Everest 2005: Team Alongi 2005 Introduction

“What exactly is it that attracts you guys to climb those 8000-meter peaks?” This is a question that, as a climber, I am often asked.  It’s a viable and worthwhile question to impose, especially if you’re not a climber and you really want to know what the heck gives us our drive.  Sometimes, I even ask myself the very same question.  Who in their right mind would want to spend months on end in extremely arid sub-zero conditions where the oxygen is less than half of what’s at sea level, just to have the chance at 15 minutes of glory?  It’s the adventure, plain and simple adventure...

Making the summit of one of the world’s highest peaks is great, but the summit is a minuscule part of an expedition.  The camaraderie, teamwork, months of hard work in preparation for departure, and the local cultures and people are what truly attract me to a mountain of this size.  Mt. Everest brings out the true nature in one’s personality.  If you’re not a team player, you won’t have any fun on the expedition and will probably go home without having made the summit.  Stress has a terrible impact on how your body acclimatizes at extreme altitudes.

Mt. Everest sits on the border between Tibet and Nepal.  Our route of ascension will be from the difficult North side that lies in Tibet.  Rising up from the Tibetan plateau to an altitude of 29,035ft (8850M), Mt. Everest’s North Ridge will be a formidable challenge for our team of US based climbers.

Our journey begins in the Pacific Northwest.  Starting in Seattle Washington, our team will board their respective aircraft and fly to Kathmandu where we’ll rendezvous.  A few days in the capital of Nepal to square away last minute details and receive a private blessing at a monastery is necessary before heading to base camp.  Our journey to base camp will take over a week and involves driving through Nepal, across the Chinese border and covers many miles in Tibet. 

Arrival in base camp will be followed by several days of rest before loading up the yaks and the beginning of our 3 day trek to Advanced Base Camp, which will be the team’s home for the duration of the expedition.  Currently, our plan is to establish 4 camps above ABC in preparation for our summit push.  After our camps are in place and stocked with ample amounts of food, fuel, and oxygen, we’ll head back down to Base Camp for a long rest.  5 to 6 days of rest is necessary to prepare for our summit bid.  This is our plan and it will probably change according to weather, health, route conditions, etc…  Each day presents new challenges, so a high level of flexibility is required.

Expedition teams are more than just the climbers and Sherpa staff.  A team, in my definition, involves all the family and friends who’ve supported you throughout your life as you’ve chased your dreams.  Words can describe an expedition in great detail, as can pictures.  However, the many intense emotions felt during an 8000-meter endeavor can’t all be described accurately, but we’ll do our best to help you feel as though you’re a member of the team.  Just like the children of Pinewood Elementary in Marysville, WA, who for the last 2 months have been supporting our team’s progress through setting their own personal reading goals.  Go Pinewood!

Follow our team over the next few months, and you’ll see exactly what I’m referring to.  Next Stop, Kathmandu Nepal.   Until Then…

From the USA:  Brook Alongi – Team Ogawa, Mt. Everest 2005

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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