Leaving for Camp 1 and 2

I’ll be leaving in a little more than 12 hours on the first rotation to camps 1 and 2. I’ll be spending two nights at each, then returning to EBC to rest. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to communicate from there, but if so, I’ll call with a satellite phone update.

Both camps are surrounded by the huge walls of Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest. The Icefall is in the best, quickest, and safest shape since 1979!  Just getting to the “Football Field” (about halfway) was quite possibly the most fun climb I’ve ever done, with the exception of the Matterhorn and Eiger. Well anyway, it ranks right up there!  I’m excited to experience the rest!  Will keep you posted.

PS:  I miss all of you – family, friends, clients, and colleagues.  I sincerely appreciate your interest!

PSS:  My Sherpa, Lakpa Bhote, who likes to be called Bhote (pronounced boatea) because it stands for the Himalaya, just now dropped by my tent to hammer out plans for tomorrow’s 3:00am departure. He happened to mention that he and a few other Sherpa had already carried loads this morning to Camp 1. They left at 4:00am and we’re back by 7:00am.  A couple of days ago it took me over two hours just to get half way to Camp 1, with a light load.  Bhote is all of 5′ 4″ and slightly built.  He’s 38, just older than my son, Don, and has three children aged one, nine, and 14. He’ll be helping me in many ways, especially to get me up and down safely.  I plan to tip him generously no matter how high I climb, as you might imagine.