Silvio Mondinelli: Annapurna 2005 Forced Stay at Base Camp

Update: Forced Stay at Base Camp:

There is nothing we can do.  The weather is making us crazy!  In the mornings it is fairly sunny, but the illusion lasts only a short while.  By afternoon it begins to snow and the wind begins to blow. 

Yesterday we descended towards the valley that leads to base camp, if only to stretch our legs and to see a bit of green fields and trees.  After our long stay on the sides of the mountain, with nothing but rocks and snow to look at, made even grimmer by the continuing bad weather, and our forced inactivity, these simple images of a more benevolent nature, seem to us somewhat surreal.

This morning we climbed back up the glacier, if only to fix several points on the route more securely.  Due to the changing atmospheric conditions on the mountain, several wide cracks have opened up, which can only increase the dangers when we climb. 

Unfortunately, the weather predictions for the next few days are again not very promising at least until Friday.  While we await an improvement in the weather, meanwhile, we take small comfort in the joy of good meals prepared by our cook Prem and his assistant.

Grano

Previous Update

Background

Silvio will go to Annapurna around the 20 of March together with 4 Italian friends (Mario Merelli, Christian Gobbi, Daniele Bernasconi, Mario Panzeri). They will try on the North Face. After he will probably go with "Al filo de lo imposible" team to Nanga Parbat.

Silvio Mondinelli, (1958), Mountain Guide, Alagna Valsesia, Italy reached the Summit of Everest without Oxygen on the 23rd May 2001. Since then he has added Summits of G1, G2 and Dhaulagiri. Four SUMMITS OF 8000M PEAKS IN 2001 FOR SILVIO. Four 8000 meter peaks Summits in 2001 for Silvio. He is a rising star...

We covered Silvio Mondinelli on Autumn Annapurna 2002.

We covered Silvio Mondinelli on Winter Broad Peak.

In Spring of 2003 he was on Kangchenjunga.

Shishapangma 2003

Everest and K2 in Spring 2004.

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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