Mt. Everest 2005: Mountain Madness Expedition: Working together

Update: Hello (once again) from Everest Base Camp!

Team leaders and Sherpa Sirdars met today to discuss how we will plan our summit attempt in the next week or two.  A plan was made in case the remaining groups went for the summit on the same day.  Double fixed lines will be added in bottle neck areas such as below the south summit, SW ridge and the Hillary step to allow for climbers to move faster through these sections.  In addition, the sirdars met to organize a group of Sherpas, to fix from the balcony to the summit.  The last remaining section that still needs fixed rope in place to climb safely to the summit.

Our team is doing well.  Dean and Eric went up half way to camp 1 today for exercise.  A few of us went bouldering again.  Keeping active is a good way to stay healthy and keep our heads into the game.

Currently the weather reports do not indicate a good weather window in the next 5 days.  Our current plan is to climb up to camp 2 on the 25th of May.  We will monitor the weather while at camp 2 and make a decision for what day we will attempt the summit.  We can spend several days at camp 2 to wait out the weather, since it's not too high and it's still very comfortable.  We can eat well here with a dedicated cook making  good healthy meals.

We will keep our fingers crossed for a break in the winds!

Cheers, 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.

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