Everest Camp 1
May 18, 2007
Namaste,
I’m on my way to the summit! Tenji and I made our way up the icefall to Camp 1. The mountain decided to treat us to a surprise. For the first time in the trip (unintelligible). Clouds came in and dumped heavy snow on us for the second half. If I had to choose between the two, I would definitely choose the snow. (I wonder what the first half was, but couldn’t understand him.- Sharon) We arrived at Camp 1 in the snow just as conditions turned to white-out. In fact, it is still snowing pretty hard. On the way up the icefall we passed two large groups bringing two bodies down on sleds. I assume this was the two Koreans who died. (unintelligible)
The plan is to push up to Camp 2 tomorrow, hopefully in better weather. Terry is coming up tomorrow from Base Camp to Camp 2 in one push. The plan is for us to we leave with our Sherpas from Camp 2 to Camp 3 on May 20 and then from Camp 3 to Camp 4 on May 21. We will make our summit push that evening or the following day. Things can change based on the weather and how we feel as we make our way up the mountain.
The snow under our tent at Camp 1 melted down to solid ice creating a bowl like effect which will make for a challenge to get a decent night’s sleep tonight. Picture me in my sleeping bag in a U formation. It snowed too hard to go out and make things better. I feel great and hopefully the weather (breaks up-unintelligible).
Bill Burke