Summitclimb Ama Dablam Autumn 2006

Ama Dablam copyright Dan Mazur

SummitClimb Ama Dablam 2006 Autumn: First Dispatch

Thanks to everyone at EverestNews.com for telling the story of Himalayan climbing.

Hello from Kathmandu! This is the first posting from the Autumn 2006 SummitClimb International Ama Dablam Expedition.

It is a wonderful time to be here as the country celebrates Dasain, one of the high holidays for Nepalis. Throughout the week children have been flying kites and families are sacrificing animals at temples as they make their celebrations and worship the Goddess Durga. Many Nepalis have come from far away to be home at this time, and many who live in the capital of Kathmandu have made long journeys to their villages to be with their families during this time.

Most members have arrived in Kathmandu already with the last 2 arriving today. We are all enjoying meeting one another over these past few days and look forward to having the complete team together shortly.

On October 3rd we will fly to Lukla in the Khumba Valley and begin our approach to Basecamp. Though weather in Kathmandu is terrific, so far we have no reliable reports of conditions in the Khumbu. With the late departure of the Monsoon rains we are all wondering what we will find upon arrival in the mountains.

Dispatch

This year our expedition will consist of 17 international climbers and 12 Sherpas who will be supporting our ascent.   

1     Dan Mazur               USA

2.    Thomas Meling           Norway

3.    Marius Bakkeng                Norway

4.    Frank Sandbakk          Norway

5.    Alf Kare Askeland             Norway

6.    Birte Haugland (Doctor)             Norway

7.    Oystein Ormasen               Norway

8.    Roy Hansen                    Norway

9.    David Malia             UK

10.   Stein Johansen                      Norway

11.   Mark Jensen (Leader)    Denmark

12.   Doug Sandok (Leader)          USA

13.   Pat Millegan            USA

14.   Chris Breemer           USA

15.   Martha Johnson (Doctor)       USA

16.   Larry Boersma           Holland and USA

(Larry is attempting to become the oldest person ever to summit Ama Dablam).

17.   Fred Blodgett           USA

18.   Jangbu Sherpa                       Okhaldhunga, Nepal     

19.   Tenji Sherpa                        Okhaldhunga, Nepal     

20.   Phuri Sherpa                        Okhaldhunga, Nepal

21.   Pasang Gyalu Sherpa                 Okhaldhunga, Nepal

22.   Shera Sherpa                  Okhaldhunga, Nepal            .

23.   Lakpa Kongle Sherpa                 Okhaldhunga, Nepal

24.   Lakpa Gormu Sherpa                  Okhaldhunga, Nepal     

25.   Usha Bista                   Tarai, Nepal

(Ms. Bista is the 1st woman from Terai to attempt Ama Dablam)

26.   Neer Kaji Tamang              Okhaldhunga, Nepal

Cooks

1.    Jay Bahadhur Nagarkoti        Rasuwa, Nepal                

2.    Pemba Sherpa                        Makalu, Nepal    

3.    Temba Sherpa                        Makalu, Nepal 

This year's team is gelling well and there is a lot of excitement already about our upcoming climb. We look forward to another safe and exciting adventure this season on Ama Dablam with this great group.  Yours in Adventure, From Doug Sandok and all of us at SummitClimb.com

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