Mt. Everest 2005: Mountain Madness Expedition: The Farther One Goes, The less one knows.

Update 5/1/2005 (in Nepal):

The Farther One Goes

The less one knows.

                -Tao Te Ching

Everest Base Camp 17,600 ft. An ever changing environment filled with adventure and yet time to heal both physically and mentally.

Healing comes in various forms as it did yesterday with a bouldering session in full sun about one hour from base camp. A  combination of Sherpa and Climbers teamed together for an afternoon of fantastic climbing routes and spirited laughs. (See photographs). Turns out Sherpas are great at high altitude alpinism as well as difficulty crafted rock moves. We all returned with hardy smiles and some great memories.

Our "rest days" following our decent from Camp 3 have in fact come at a good time at least far as the weather is concerned. we have changed from sunny and crisp blue skies to snow wind, accompanied by high winds at  higher elevations i.e. 22,000 feet and above.

Base camp down  time is a combination domestic chores like wash as well as spirited discussions about life, love, the Ice Fall and Lance Armstong. We tend not  dwell on the Ice Fall much as it something that we move through as quickly as possible. Love holds high ranking however, we are left with nothing but memories. Life experiences are shared and laughs are  always around the corner. Relection is one of the gifts of climbing, as you push yourself so hard both physically and phsycologically new perspective and often a clearer lense to see life. And Lance, lets just say he is the absolute motivation to make the hill or push one more hour, hats off to Texas.

The Kitchen staff has continued to awe all of us as we had fresh cinnamon rolls today being the envy of Everest Base Camp, our one of a kind "Everest Oven". One can almost forget physical pain or deprivation with a warm Cinnamon roll and fresh Press "Himalayan Java". Cheers to the guys in the kitchen, you rock!

We have one more day before we go to camp three and sleep overnight, Camp three is about 24,000 feet, We are looking forward to the terrific view and limited oxygen as we push our team higher toward the top. 

Cheers!

Eric Garza-Climber

Everest Base Dispatch

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 for Spring 2009 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.

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