Camp 2 day 2

As I talked to Bart last night, he told me, “it is a beautiful day.”  He is watching the steady stream of climbers approaching the summit.  He questions, a little, the decision to retreat.  He’s feeling physically, mentally, and emotionally depleted. They can give it another try in a couple of days if they choose to.  Right now he is on the fence. The general feeling among his group is that they will go. I know he will as well, for if he doesn’t it will eat away at him and he’ll wish he had.  He knows he will have to dig deep from within, hoping there are untapped sources of energy.  I am happy that he has a couple of days for introspection.  I told him of everyone who is cheering him on and sending their positive energy.  He very much appreciates it, as do I.   

Bart: I’d spent a sleepless night on oxygen at Camp 3 in a tent with both Johnny and Marin.  The next morning, after an exhausting effort in tight quarters preparing to leave for Camp 4, we were put on hold due to high winds.  We would be leaving for the summit at 8:00 pm that night if we could get there.  Despite being tired from the push to Camp 3 the day before, and the restless night, we were all super excited!  However, as the winds continued and the day wore on, it became apparent we’d have to wait at least another day.  My excitement was replaced with concern and then disappointment when it appeared I’d be spending another night at Camp 3.  When it started snowing later that evening the decision was made to return to Camp 2!  I wasn’t exactly sure why, but was downright depressed about it.

It was a long two hours getting back to Camp 2, and by the time I arrived I was soaked with sweat having been dressed in my summit suit, with four layers underneath, prepared for the cold temperatures up high.  Super guide, Mike Hamill, offered me his summit suit to sleep in.  What a guy!  I think it saved me from getting really sick.

I had another sleepless night but stayed warm with the suit.  I was also disappointed to look up the next morning and see the line of climbers on their way to Camp 4.  Apparently, we were the only team that had descended.  I ate and drank as much as possible that day to keep my energy up, but nearly passed out after talking to Judy on the sat phone.

The other team would be leaving the next day, and we were now scheduled to follow them two days later.  Though I was feeling poorly with a cough, head cold, and very low energy in the rarefied air, I was encouraged I’d have a couple of days to get ready.  I also knew, as Judy mentioned above, I’d have to find that untapped source of energy, because it was looking more and more improbable, if not impossible, to get myself to the summit and back down safely.