Everest 2006: 7 Summits Club expedition: News of 7 Summits Club EVEREST expedition

Yesterday there was an official day of the beginning of our expedition. And a strike was not terminated. And again a curfew. On breakfast we have met Maxud Jumaiev from Kazakhstan. We live in one hotel. He, with Vasily Pivtsov, takes off for Dhaulagiri soon, and then for Annapurna. After breakfast we have met three foreign members. In dinner time Russian group of guides and clients have arrived. Now practically all in gathering. On Russian tradition all have gathered in the chief room and have noted an arrival. Far-seeing Igor Svergun has brought the Ukrainian SALO (bacon) and GORILKA (vodka) . All this went very well, after several weeks of specific Nepalese kitchen.

As usually - in 7 p.m. there was a common gathering. It became difficult to be located together even in spacious hall of hotel Waishali. The Australian part of our team has appeared: daddy and the 15-years son who want to become the first family on 7 Summits. Chris Harris has a good chance to become the youngest Everest summiter and Seven Summits conqueror. German Thomas Weber has also arrived, he is a blind climber. Though more correctly to tell, he is a person with an eye disease and weakened sight. "Vikings" have returned from a track on Kala Patar. So many members have arrived, only foreigners - 26 persons. The final participant – Ron Morrow should arrive today.

The Russian part, it is only 5 members, and almost all are old familiar friends. Vladimir Pushkarev from Siberia was a participant of our expedition 2003. Next three persons are from Ural: Arcady Ryzhenko and Ilya Rozhkov were participants of our expedition 2004, Vladimir Lande was a participant of our expedition 2005 . The only one new person it is Igor Plyushkin from South Russia (Krasnodar). Yesterday Russian members and guides altogether have passed along evening streets of Katmandu. After 8 p.m. the curfew comes to an end, and shops open. We have made a small demonstration in support of ending of strike and curfew. For the Peace! We should not waist time, prepare for expedition and leave to Tibet early in the morning April, 13. On had a strike - it is time for work!

In the morning, April 11, we have visited an office of Asia Trekking company. We work with this firm and have a good long-term partner relations. Ang Tsering, as the president of Federation of Mountaineering of Nepal, has presented to Alex Abramov, Nikolay Chernyi and Igor Svergun the invitation to celebrating of gold anniversary of an ascents on Manaslu and Lhotse.

Today in 6 p.m. will be a briefing, and in 7 p.m. common welcome dinner. With best regards,

The Leader of expedition 7 Summits Club on Everest
Alexander Abramov
And the responsible secretary
Lyudmila Korobeshko

Dispatches

Background: Expedition name "7 Summits Club"

Expedition Leader - Alexander Abramov

Expedition guides - Alexander Abramov, Russia (main guide and leader,  Everest Summiteer, leader of 5 Himalayan Expeditions)

                   -  Igor Svergun, Ukrain (guide, 2 times Everest summiter,  from the North without oxygen, 5 other 8-thousanders, has 2 Piolet d’Ore)

                   - Mingma Gelu Sherpa, Nepal (sirdar, 5 times Everest Summiteer)

                  - Sergey Kofanov, Russia (assistant guide)

                  - Ludmila Korobeshko, Russia (assistant guide)

                  - Andrey Selivanov, Russia (doctor and ABC manager)

                  - Maxim Onipchenko, Russia (mountain ranger, BC manager)

                  - Sergey Chistyakov, Russia (internet project manager)

                  List of  expedition members:

To the top

 20 Sherpas

6 cooks

6 kitchen boys

Total: 73 (30 clients, 43 staff)

Expedition start date : April 10

Expedition end date : June 10

Alexander Abramov with part of the staff arrives in Katmandu on March 20 to start the preparations for such a big expedition. 200 oxygen bottles are already bought for the expedition. 

Update: Alex is currently in Nepal meeting with Asian Trekking..

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