Mt. Everest 2005: Alpine Ascents Everest 2005 Namaste from Everest Base Camp   

'The Women of Everest 2005': Ellie, Danielle, Jeanne, Cathleen, Dianette, Esther

Update: Namaste from Everest Base Camp    

What a day, what a puja. The day here is winding down and what a time it’s been for everyone. Today was our puja day or blessing day. We woke up to clear skies and relatively windless conditions. After another tasty breakfast the team began the traditional wash up before the puja ceremony. There were wash cloths, razors, and even some make up for the women.
 

Around 9 a.m. we began the service with two of our monks who are working this expedition presiding over the prayers and blessings. Phurba Kancha and Tenzing Tsheri chanted the traditional Tibetan prayers of protection and success with the other Sherpa following along. Our alter was covered in traditional Tibetan Thanka paintings, pictures of Rinpoches, ice axes, crampons, and pictures of loved ones back home. What a colorful and picturesque alter. During the puja sacred rice is offered, chang is consumed, and finally the prayer flags are erected with a large pole from the middle of the alter. Seven strings of prayer flags were then put up making a sort of wheel with the alter at the center.

The Tibetan Buddhist puja is an enjoyable, casual, and yet very meaningful affair. The reverence for life is displayed and celebrated with laughter and humor throughout these ceremonies. I know all of our team was impressed with how organic the whole experience seemed. After the ceremony dancing, eating and drinking gave everyone a chance to hang out more with our Sherpa staff and that bonding was a highlight for all.

The team here is a riot. Each person is not only feeling great at this point but in excellent spirits. A sense of humor helps such long expeditions and this team is filled with them. It’s pretty much a delight with this group so far- day in and day out.

Tomorrow we’ll head up the icefall for a 4 hour round trip excursion. Up through the ice and across some ladders to get a feel for our trip up to Camp I in a few days. Some hearts are already racing in anticipation.

All the best,
Dave

Dispatches

Vern Tejas, Willi Prittie, Dave Morton, Jose Luis Peralvo, and Lakpa Rita Sherpa will lead the Alpine Ascent team on Everest this Spring. They will attempt the standard South East ridge route.

GUIDE STAFF (BIOS)
Lakpa Rita Sherpa Senior Guide & Sirdar	Vern Tejas Senior Guide	Willi Prittie Senior Guide
Dave Morton Senior Guide	Jose Luis Peralvo Senior Guide	Ellie Henke Base Camp Manager
CLIMBERS
Nigel Clark	Esther Colwill	Ron Farb
Kevin Grant	Cathy Groninger	Kent Groninger
Mostafa Mahmoud	Jeanne Stawiecki	Dianette Strange-Wells
Tony Van Marken	David Liano	Danielle Fisher

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