Mt. Everest 2005: Catalan Team North Side: CHINESE BASE CAMP

Tents (camp 1) North Col ©EverestNews.com

Update May 20th: SUNDAY, MAY 22, 2005 - WE ARE IN THE CHINESE BASE CAMP

"We haven't had time to assimilate all the events of the last three days, we have it very clear that the objective is to accelerate the return to Katmandu the most we can, and even more because of the state of Xavi.  So we went down to the Chinese Base Camp this morning, we had already prepared all the material there was in Advanced Base Camp this morning, so that it arrives to Katmandu in the next days.  For us the top priority is to guarantee Xavi's descent, who is not able to walk in this conditions.  the solution was found in three fantastic Tibetan porters that carry him in a stretcher by turns during all the descent.  We have to add that the trail that is usually done in 4 to 5 hours has taken more than 8, luckily at the end we are all in the tents of the Chinese Base Camp.  Now we will try to make the return to Katmandu by Jeeps, planned for the 24th, a day earlier.

Good night from the warmer Chinese Base Camp. 

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2005 - SUMMIT ATTEMPT -

The decision of the Esplugesaleverest Expedition was to take advantage, if possible, of the good weather on the last attempt; Xavi Arias was the one to attempt the final attack with two Sherpas.

Albert Carbonell and Merce Vidal remained in Base Camp, while Agusti climbed towards Camp II.

At 20:00h our time yesterday, May 22, Xavi left Camp III (8,400m) to attempt the final attack.

At 3:00h of the morning we got notice that he turned around at 8,500m because there was bad weather and had some problems with his feet, and while he was going down to Camp III, he had an injury in an ankle, and that made the descent very slow.

Around 19:00h our time, the four of them were in Base Camp, they were sad for not achieving the objective of the expedition, but happy for their personal achievements.

If all goes well, the return of the expedition will be on May 28 at 03:00h in l'Aeroport del Prat.

Translated from Catalan by Jorge Rivera

Updates

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