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  Mt Everest 2006: Alpine Ascents Everest 2006: Alpine Ascents SUMMITS Everest
 

Update: 8848m May 20 – 7:00 am

SUMMIT! The first group of Dave, Chris, Alistair, Thapkee, and Chewang are standing on the top of the world! Dave says he has his gloves off, there is no wind, and it is a fine day to be standing on the summit. After all the worries about the weather the team is really getting a break and enjoying a wonderful day on the top. Congratulations go to the climbers for a job well done. They have hung in here for two months on the mountain to finally achieve their dreams.

Meanwhile the second contingent is taking a break on the South Summit and will soon be starting across the traverse on their way to the top. We will be watching for their arrival as well.

Ellie Everest Base Camp

Update: May 20 – 6:30 am

Lakpa reports that the entire second group of Jacques, Suzanne, Geri, Vern, Tsering, Mingma, and Fura Kancha have reached the South Summit. At this point there is no or very low wind, and all the clouds have virtually disappeared. Michael Fagin, our weather guru, also tells us the threat of lots of snow this afternoon has been reduced to the usual afternoon flurries. So all is good. Dave and the first group are just a little bit below the true summit now, so I should be giving you a report soon when they are standing on top.

Ellie
 

May 19 - 1:00 am On the Way to the Balcony
    
8350m May 20 - 1:00 am

It’s dark and misty at base camp, but we just got word that the team is doing well up above. Dave says they are almost to the Balcony and conditions are still good. That puts them on a good to fast pace, as it has only been about five hours since they left the South Col. They will call in again when they actually reach the Balcony. It sounds like they should be running out of their first bottles of oxygen soon, and will be switching over to new bottles. Our experienced sherpas are there to make sure the transition goes smoothly.

Here at base camp it’s down to Sila and myself trying to stay awake and trying to stay warm. I’m reading a book and Sila is plugged into some Nepali music. Soon we will be switching over too – to a new monitoring team of Dawa and Lakpa, who will hold down the fort until about 4:00 am when Gopal will take over. After that most of us will probably be awake to follow the team on their final hours to the summit.

Ellie Henke Everest Base Camp

Dispatch Index

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