Marty Schmidt Everest 2008 : signing in from Everest

MSIG, April 22nd, update from Everest.

Tim, Giannina and I arrived into Everest Base camp on the 18th April after trekking up the Khumbu Valleys for the past 11 days. This trek in one of the most beautiful ways to get into the heart of any mountain range, this one just ended up being at the base of the highest mountain in the world. All went well for us, making our own way through the famous villages, meeting the local people, sharing our lives with them each day and being blessed by the main Lama at Thangboche monastery was a special high light. Being a small team of three we went places, saw things and experienced life that only small groups are allowed, which we are very thankful for. We did really well for Westerners not to get sick during this trek in. But our last night before heading into BC Tim and I had something that rocked our guts, we think it was the strong smelling Yak cheese on top of the fried potatoes. So for the past few days we were battling the foreign bacteria inside our bodies, making adapting to life at 5,350 meters a bit more challenging. We are still fortunate since we are almost past this sickness where others all around this base camp are sick with bugs and coughing through out the night with the Khumbu high altitude cough. It is a hard one to shake, we know since Giannina has a bit of it and we are finding ways to deal with it. She is strong in the gut area since her diet is very simple. She is happy up in this thin air arena, overwhelmed by its beauty every morning and evening, keeping busy with the simple chores of day to day living, getting to know the Sherpas that help around the kitchen, starting to paint and draw, just enjoying her surroundings and being content. Ahhhh, what a place to be in life. 

Tim and I are now able to head off to camp one, now that our Base Camp support had the Puja ritual, a ceremony that asks the Gods for permission to climb upon this sacred mountain. Our goal for the next few days is to push a few loads of supplies to camp one and two. Getting through the Khumbu ice fall will be the tricky bit for the start of the climb. Moving between ice boulders, over crevasses and up vertical blocks will gain us 700 meters to camp one. First time doing this will take around 6-7 hours and then afterwards we will be able to do this in less time because we will know the crux sections and will be better acclimatized. 

By the end of April we want to be established at camp two, feeling good with all our supplies in place to push for camp three. We still have to wait for permission to climb above camp three after the 10th of May. Everybody is in this same situation and so all of us need to keep staying in shape and ready to move when the time is set to go higher.

Today is a very warm one with temperatures ranging from below freezing in the morning to over 30 degree C. Inside the tents feels like if pushes over 40 C. Our minds and bodies are adapting every day to this extreme, which ultimately prepares us for our summit day. A day like today we treasure the winds, cooling us a bit, but we wish for the almost never heard of "No Wind Summit Day" to happen for us all. 

This email is a bit longer then the others, I can write off line now using another computer since my does not work at this high altitude. I thought buying a new computer would have given me a solid state hard drive, I found out later that I could have added this feature. I am just glad to get some of these updates out to everyone who is following Giannina, Tim and I. I won't be able to answer any emails till we are back in Kathmandu. I just keep sending out updates to you all this way.  

Thinking of you all and keeping in touch always, see you soon again from

Everest Base Camp. Cheers, Marty, Giannina and Tim.

Earlier: MSIG signing in from Dingboche.  

All is well with our team, acclimatizing, getting use to the thinner air, working through the beginnings of an expedition and being surrounded by some of the most beautiful mountains in the world. Right in front of us now is Ama Dablam, taking our breath away. Since our last dispatch, we have been trekking up the Khumbu Valley taking in the sights and people. Tangboche was a magical monastery, letting us experience the monks life style from within their lives. We had a blessing ceremony from the head Lama. Today we are off to Loboche at 4,900 meters. We will sleep there and then head for Everest BC in a couple days following. 

This will be a quick dispatch, once we get BC set up we can write more.  

It's a fantastic morning to trek, clear, no wind and just beautiful land to walk upon.  

Will write again in 3-4 days. 

All the very best from our little three person team, just below Nuptse, Lhotse and Everest.

Much love and light, cheers, Marty, Giannina and Tim.
--
Marty Schmidt Int Guiding, MSIG
New Zealand

Earlier: MSIG, Marty Schmidt International Guiding signing in from Namche.

This is our 3rd day of the trek into BC. We walked all around this magical Khumbu region today, soaking up the energy that Sir Ed brought to this land back in the 50's with helping to build schools and medical clinics. The Sherpa people are such a proud culture, spanning many generations, still living the simple and true life style that most western cities are lacking or have never found and yet they are connected to the outside world with modern items and communication. The duality of living here is so amazing for most western people that we want to be with these people longer and longer. There is a warm welcoming for outside people to experience.

We leave tomorrow for Pangboche and then award to the 5,360 meter Base Camp, so that we can get established before we start pushing the route up the Khumbu Ice Fall. 

So to let you all know, we are doing well and happy. We are on schedule everyday now and looking forward to our next trek up the Khumbu Valley.

Sending our love and light everyday, cheers, Marty, Giannina and Tim

Earlier: 07/04/08 MSIG, Marty Schmidt International Guiding signing in for another day in Kathmandu.

All is well, Tim Burns arrived on time on the 6th April, had a good rest and up early to get some work completed around KTM. Our permits are in hand and the flights booked for early on the 8th April to Lukla. Our time spent in this magical  city is always a delight to the senses. But it is time to move on for greener hills and clearer air.  Off to experience the temples of the dedicated souls of this earth. Nothing but respect for these true believers.  

If all goes well, tomorrow morning we are up at 0500, eat some breakfast, catch a ride to the airport and load up for our flight to Lukla, 2866 meters, by 0700. We’ll start our trek within the same day towards Namche, 3,446 meters, along the way working with the village of Phakding. We’ll be taking 10 days of trekking time to get to Everest BC. Along this trek we’ll try to send in more dispatches and let you know how all is going with our small and dedicated team. 

Namaste from KTM. Marty

Earlier: Hello everyone and greetings from New Zealand, Giannina and I are all packed and ready to fly in the morning for Kathmandu, Nepal.

The journey has be changed from the North side of Everest to the South side within the past few weeks do to the Tibetan/Chinese situation in Lhasa and over the Olympic torch being taken to the summit or near it by just the Chinese climbers. No one else is allowed to be on the North side or even near the summit of Everest between the 1st of April to the 10th of May, while the torch is being taken up to it's highest point. Then after this time we are allowed to summit. All will be in place for Tim Burns, from Dallas, Texas, and I to push our camp to the 8000 meter Col for us to make our summit climb, most likely around the 20-25th of May.

We are flexible and focused with this goal. Not using any Sherpas or 02 will be the main goal for us and we are ready to make this happen.

Please join us while we climb Everest, you can log into www.everestnews.com at anytime and read about our ascent and others. I will write short blogs to Everestnews.com from time to time. It will not be everyday since we will be doing a lot of climbing and acclimatizing to prepare ourselves for the summit. Giannina will be around Base Camp and she will also write a few blogs from time to time.

Sending you all our very best energy, filled with adventure, light and happiness. Next time we'll send in some words from Kathmandu.

All the best, cheers, Marty, Giannina and Tim.

Earlier Update: Marty Schmidt is off to Everest again... "I have a 1 to 1 ratio, we are heading for the North ridge, no Sherpas and no 02. Making a higher mark to reach for I see a growing problem with too many people sucking 02 to low, up to 12 bottles now....." Marty, tell EverestNews.com

MSIG's Awards and Achievements

Awards and Achievements:

• SUS Air Force Air Medal 1984, for rescuing 9 people from a burning hotel fire in the Philippines.
• Guided 71 year old client to the summit of Denali in 1988 (the oldest person to have summitted Denali to date).
• Climbed a new route on the northeast face of Everest, from the Tibetan side, in 1994.
• Selected as a member of an International climbing team to climb K2 in 1992.
• Rescued members of other teams while on Denali, Alaska, USA; Aconcagua, Argentina; Mt. Everest, Tibet.
• K2 expedition in 2000 with International team to within meters of the top of K2.
• First American to summit the southwest face on Kangchenjunga.
• Second New Zealander to have ever summited Kangchenjunga (the first Kiwi was Norman Hardie in 1955).
• World speed record on Cho Oyu on 28 September 2001 in 10 hours, 45 minutes from ABC to summit.
• On 24 September, 2004 on Cho Oyu, Tibet, summited a client with no O2 being used and no Sherpa support. Then helped rescue a man in his 50's from Camp II to Camp I who was having a very hard time at the 7000 meter mark. After 20 hours rest at ABC, I headed back up for a 13 hour ascent, using no fixed lines, no O2, no support, carrying all my own ski gear. Then skied from the summit to the end of the snow at Camp I in 3 hours. The snow conditions were the worst, breakable 30mm wind slab crust, that boil plated with most turns. The 10 meter rock band and vertical ice serac were the most technical parts to ski off of. Only a few people in the world have skied from the summit of an 8000 meter mountain.

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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