Mt. Everest 2005: Alpine Ascents Everest 2005: Camp 2

Update: Camp II
    
Namaste to everyone out there following the expedition!

I'm sitting in the Camp II dining tent with some of the team enjoying the comfort of our propane stove. Yes, that's right... tables, chairs, and a propane stove. We still need down gear though, and everyone around me looks an overstuffed teddy bear. Kevin was just able to make contact with home and found Boston is 80 degrees. That brings us back to reality though we're still feeling quite proud of our "luxurious" digs.

As Mustafa sits across from me sipping tea he wants me to remind the world (or that tiny percentage that's reading this) that he is the first Jordanian to reach Camp II on the southside of Everest. He definitely still has his tongue in check humor intact at these high altitudes.

After a rough night of sleep last night this afternoon everyone has bounced back extremely well. We went for a walk up near the base of the Lhotse face this morning. You nearly had to look back each step and make sure there wasn't someone pulling on your pack. The altitude makes one's body feel amazingly heavy... as if someone has a rope pulling from behind.

We did make it to a point where we could see the route up to the South Col. Shocking, exciting, awe inspiring, what else... BIG. And it actually looks like a lot of fun to all. A walk always helps at this alititude and this afternoon everyone is in high spirits with their wit intact- almost too much so. This team is certainly has good laugh... every five minutes.

The first Sherpa to make it up to Camp III did so today. That marks the beginning of the push to fix lines from the base of the Lhotse face to the summit. The fixing will happen in stages with the summit the final stage in early or possibly mid-May.

So... tomorrow morning we're off again and this time it's to lower altitudes. To everyone's delight we'll be back in what now seems like a palacial camp. Showers, email, and plenty of oxygen for a good night sleep. We'll be in BC for a few days at the minimum. We're all looking forward to it- and making contact again with those at home. Everyone's attention turns in that direction often.

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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