Return to Everest 2009

Most of the sherpas had a well deserved rest day today, after a busy week. Tomorrow they are back at it, stocking C2 and C4. Our Camp 3 acclimatization rotation is now almost over. The Singapore team descended from C3 today and John, Jon, and Matt went up to C3 for their overnight there. Justin and Dave are up at C1 tonight. Hamill's team is back to BC now. Kamen and Petya went down to Pheriche for some R & R today prior to the summit bids. [More at IMG]

Days 39 & 40/April 29 & 30, 2009 (Wednesday & Thursday)
Clashing Options: Should I stay or should I go now?

Resting can be hard work, particularly at high altitudes. The demands of the summit push will take everything I’ve got, so having physical reserve to make the climb, use good judgment and safely descend is paramount. Should I stay here at Everest Base Camp for the next week or so to prepare for the summit, downing as many calories as I can? Or should I descend a few thousand feet to the village of Pheriche, where the air is (relatively) thicker, and appetites are often better? This Everest climber’s dilemma is balanced by a somewhat increased risk of gastrointestinal infection --- our base camp cooks are exceptionally careful in their preparation of our food, and only rarely will someone have a problem once here in camp.

Scott at Everest - with the Sun Shining, Miles O'Brien

"Eventually, we are going to get these vidchats from Everest Base Camp down to a science. At 11pm EDT on Wednesday - 8:45am Thursday at EBC, I spoke with Scott Parazynski and Keith Cowing. The weather is much better at this time of day there - and so we finally saw the amazing peaks behind them."

Scott Parazynski checks in from Everest, Miles O'Brien

"Astronaut Scott Parazynski checks in from Everest Base Camp. He is resting and eating - a lot (5,000 calories a day) in preparation for his summit bid. What's his favorite food at EBC? Not the Yak!"

Skype vidchat with Astronaut Scott Parazynski at Everest Base Camp, Miles O'Brien

"Mallory, come quickly! - great chat with Scott Parazynski and Keith Cowing this morning (EDT) - their afternoon (Everest time). Scott is in good spirits and "feeling strong like bull". He was joined by Keith Cowing (who is his multimedia sherpa for this season). Eric Simonson, the lead dog at IMG made a cameo as well."

The Route Up The Lhotse Face

We had another 11 sherpas carry to the Col today, so we are starting to get a good sized cache of gear and oxygen up there. The plan is now to start fixing above the Col in a few days. Jangbu has put together a consortium representing about a half dozen teams to make it happen (exact details to follow). [More at IMG]

Keith Cowing: on 28 April 2009 Scott Parazynski had a conversation via satellite phone with the crew of the International Space Station. The occasion was a visit by several dozen NASA trekkers who spent the day at Everest Base Camp with Scott. Note: the dog picture is actually astronaut Suni William's famous dog Gorby - or in this case, "Flat Gorby". He gets around.

April 28 - Today we had 11 sherpas carry to the South Col. Mike, Louis, Paul, Dasona, Chris, and Pemba Dorje climbed to C3 and are spending the night there now. Descending this morning from their C3 overnight to C2 were Kamen/Nima Karma, Petya/Pasang Rinjing, Dawes/Mingma Tshering, Karel/Karma Rita. They will come down to BC tomorrow.

Jon is at C2 now with John. Greg, Philippe, and Dave took a Cwm hike today up to the base of the Lhotse face and are staying at C2 again. The Singapore team is heading for C3 in the morning. Weather was good today but our most recent forecast has a chance of precip coming in by the end of the week, so we are going to keep pushing hard here for a few more days. We have another big sherpa carry to the Col scheduled for the morning. [More at IMG]