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Update: May 20, Everest Base Camp
Everest Base Camp, May 20
I recalled the entire expedition to Base Camp yesterday due to continued very
low temperatures up high and continued strong winds, forecasted to increase
significantly in the next few days. Winds as high as 80 knots and temperatures
of -37 degrees are in the forecast. There is a group of Koreans and two
British-based groups trying to sneak in a summit bid before the strongest of
the winds in two days. We wish them well, but this morning, which was supposed
to be lower winds, dawned very breezy here at Base Camp with obvious signs of
high winds on all the peaks in view around Base Camp. I don’t think that I
care to be in their places right now, especially as I watch a rapidly growing
lenticular cloud cap engulfing the summit of Pumori. So, now we play the
immensely unpopular and difficult expedition waiting game at Base Camp along
with most of the other expeditions here and reportedly on the north side of
the mountain as well.
Yesterday the whole crew moved down very well and made it back to Base in
around five hours. A bit of excitement for everyone’s entertainment occurred
when Dave Morton bent over to pick up the fixed rope to attach it to himself
for crossing a ladder over a crevasse, and his radio promptly jumped out from
his clothing and committed suicide in the crevasse. David, being very
conscientious about such matters, decided to rappel into the crevasse to
attempt a rescue. The crevasse, however, had other ideas, and so we
temporarily have a radio-active glacier (at least until the batteries go
dead).
My crystal ball says that we will be here at least three days before going up
again, perhaps longer. The collective waiting and boredom at Base Camp has
spawned some interesting group activities. A few days ago, Kristina, the
doctor for the Czech Republic team and a concert violinist in another life,
put on a concert at the “Himalayan Rescue Association Plaza”, a magician
worked his stuff much to the delight of all the Sherpas in attendance, and
three official government liaison officers got up and performed a song for
all. There is much visiting of other camps, tea drinking (and some much
stronger drink as well), socializing, and an upcoming swap meet back at the
HRA Plaza while everyone waits. (Ellie is trying to figure out how she can
swap her camp booties full of holes for a new pair; perhaps if she finds
someone who has imbibed a bit too much of the much stronger drink?)
Meanwhile, Nigel eats, Danielle has set up quite a business repairing all the
fixed line damage to everyone’s gloves, David entertains us with his book of
Spanish language jokes, the chess board and decks of cards are being
exercised, and Tony continues on his work of casting actors for our upcoming
(imaginary) film production. . .
Willi Prittie
 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.
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Millet One
Sport Everest Boot has made some minor changes by adding
more Kevlar. USES Expeditions / High
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Expedition footwear for
mountaineering in conditions of extreme cold. NOTE US
SIZES LISTED. See more here. |
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A cold
weather, high altitude double boot for extreme conditions The Olympus
Mons is the perfect choice for 8000-meter peaks. This super lightweight
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upper lined with dual-density PE micro-cellular thermal insulating
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See more here. |
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