Mt. Everest 2005: Czech Hornbein Couloir: We are not enjoying this at all

Update: We are not enjoying this at all (it is all the time the same) so we will write just briefly:

Wednesday 18th: We are getting the weather forecast from the net 3x a day and it is always different. They must change it every hour or so. The weather is supposed to be bad again (very strong wind), we are staying put. Ivan, Petr and Simon started a long series of a card game. Pepino and Lucka cannot wait and left for the C0. If the conditions will get at least a bit better tomorrow, they will work on the face. Sona is reading and waits with the boys in BC.

Thursday 19th: Waiting, card games, reading, ....weather, hope, despair. Pepino and Lucka made it to the fixes, they brought another tent up to the C1 (that is the tent for C2) and they uncovered fixes from under the snow. They returned to the BC by the evening.

Friday 20th: It is snowing the whole day long. We cannot do anything on the face because the avalanches will be sliding down again. Everyone is waiting in BC

Saturday 21st: Ivan, Petr and Simon are going down to the Chinese BC to order yaks, get some gas for the generator, buy food and check on our small supply we have with Finnish expedition. Kasang will help them to bring it all here. Lucka and Pepino are going to the C0 to see (if the weather will be good) if they can finish the fixes all the way to C2. Sona is joining them.

This is all for now. The weather forecast is not telling us more than one day in row of good weather. If it is not snowing, the wind reaches 160 km/h. So far the forecast was often correct. We are still waiting for a window of opportunity...but we do not have much hope left.

Dispatches

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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