Burke-Khang Base Camp
November 3, 2015
Namaste Family & Friends:
Today is Garrett Madison’s 37th birthday. Happy Birthday Garrett! As a member of this tight climbing and trekking group, Garrett is more of a brother than a guide. We love you Garrett.
Yesterday, we hiked up to Cho-Oyu Base Camp. Cho-Oyu is the 6th highest mountain in the world. Kathy wasn’t feeling 100%, so she rested at Base Camp (she is much better today). We had a stunning view of the South Face of Cho-Oyu, a route that is seldom climbed because of the danger and technical difficulty. Most of the ascents of Cho-Oyu are from the North (Tibet) side.
Today, we organized our climbing gear in preparation for our move to Advance Base Camp on November 5. We also brushed up on our climbing skills and techniques, including ascending with a jumar, rappelling with a figure 8 device and rope travel.
We tried on the beautiful Burke-Khang jackets, especially made for us by Oros, a performance apparel company. The jackets are incredibly well made and warm. Thanks Oros!
750 meters of line have now been fixed up the steep east buttress of Burke-Khang to Camp 1. The move up the buttress will be challenging as some sections are 70% vertical, and we will be moving up snow, ice and rock. Today, they are fixing lines from Camp 1 to Camp 2 at the base of the summit ridge. This is tricky because the terrain is heavily crevassed, and the crevasses are hidden from view by deep snow.
As promised, the climbing and trekking schedules are described below.
Bill
Climbing and Trekking Schedules
Climbing Schedule
November
3-Base Camp
4-Base Camp
5-move up to Advance Base Camp-10 hours
6- rest day
7-move up to Camp 1
8-move up to Camp 2
9-summit and return to Camp 1
10-return to Advance Base Camp
11-return to Base Camp
12-rest day and prepare for departure
13-trek to Machermo *
14-trek to Namche Bazaar
15-trek to Lukla
16-fly to Kathmandu and return home
*instead of trekking to Machermo, we may elect to cross the Cho La Pass and trek to Lukla via the Everest Base Camp Trekking Trail
Trekking Schedule
November
3-climb Kala Pataar, visit Everest Base Camp and return to Gorak Shep
4-trek to Dengboche
5-trek to Debuche
6-trek to Namche Bazaar
7-trek to Lukla
8-fly to Kathmandu and return home
Denise, Paul & Nick with Cho-Oyu in the background
Garrett & Temba with Cho-Oyu in the background
Bill with Cho-Oyu in the background
The Team in our Oros jackets
Kathy practicing
Paul practicing
Nick practicing
Denise practicing
Night view of the Himalaya-Mt. Everest in the center
Birthday Boy
Garrett turns 37
Your photos show you all are having a fantastic time. And your look great in those fashionable Oros Burke-Khang jackets, black to absorb warm sunshine! Happy Birthday to “Garred”. What a nice cake to commemorate the event. All best to you and the team as you ascend your mountain!
k;-)
My goodness, the vistas are almost otherworldly!
Not to mention the jackets!
P.
Mighty exciting watching this adventure unfold……Prayers for health, safety and successful climb…..summit and return is in HIS caring and loving hands…
Bill and team,
Kathy really stayed back at base camp to practice the “summit shuffle samba”! Repeat, repeat, repeat, until repetition becomes endurance–especially with daily guided climbing practices. Stanford is receiving good exposure (t-shirt). Maybe, an article for the alumni review. Stunning views.
Blessings to all,
Rockman Rick
Happy Birthday Garrett!!!!!!! What an awesome view to see everyday. Good luck on the moves up the mountain. I will be glued to the screen watching for the summit and safe return down. May everyone be safe and enjoy this incredible trip. Tom
Bill love your new jackets of course you seem to be having a wonderful time what a thrill for you and your group to be climbing your mountain as usual your description s put us right up there with you prayers continue for all of you
Bill and Teammates:
Our prayers go out to each one of you, know that we are with you every step you take.
Good luck on this momentous expedition!
Stela Fejtek