Mt. Everest 2005: Mountain Madness Expedition: Hello from Everest Base Camp!

Update: April 18th: Hello from Everest Base Camp!

Kay and I just returned from a nice stay down in Dingbouche at 14,200 feet.  Kay's cough seems much better.  Kay, Joe and I celebrated Joe's birthday the first night in Dingbouche!  Happy Birthday Joe!  (April 16th) We were sorry to see Joe heading down.  Kay and I hiked to Lobuche in record time on the 17th.  Both feeling good and enjoying the oxygen rich air!  Today we departed Lobuche and headed for Everest Base Camp.  It is good to be here and we celebrated with a coca-cola!

The boys, Willie, Eric, Ray and Dean had a good time up on the mountain.  The team arrived to camp 1 on the 15th.   Everyone feeling good.  At camp 1 our team dug out a good kitchen and lounge area for the group to hang out in.  The only thing that was missing the 70's shag carpet and lava lamp.   On the 16th they climbed to camp 2 from camp 1.  Beautiful views of the western cwm, Everest, and Lhotse.  Willie pointed out his new route he climbed with his brother on Nuptse.  The group touched camp 2, stayed 40 minutes and descended back to camp 1.  The rest of the day the group played cards, ate lobster pate, cheese and salami and drank fresh pressed coffee.  They descended yesterday to base camp.

Now it's a few rest days for the entire group!

All the best, Christine

Dispatches

Since 1994, Mountain Madness has led 29 team members on successful expeditions to Everest's summit.  This year's Everest expedition will approach the mountain from the Normal Route--ascending through to the South Col from the Khumbu Glacier, and continuing to the summit via the Southeast ridge.

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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