Firat Eren

From a series of dispatches from the Alpine Ascents 2007 Everest Expedition team.

It’s a quiet morning here at Base Camp, but there’s excitement in the air. It feels like pieces of a puzzle all coming together to make the final picture. Our team of summit sherpas walked out of camp this morning at about 5:30 heading for Camp 2, where they will be in position for heading on up to the South Col tomorrow. Meanwhile at Camp 2 our team of western climbers is beginning their ascent up to Camp 3, where they will also be in position for heading up to the South Col tomorrow. Although it’s cloudy in Base Camp it is sunny higher up and should be an excellent day for moving on up the mountain. In addition to Lakpa, the sherpas chosen to assist the climbers to the summit are: Lakpa’s brother Thapkee, Chewang Nima, Mimgma Tshering, Fura Kancha, Nima Kancha, Tshering, Dorjee, Gyelzen, and Pa-Rita. In support at the South Col will be Lakpa Nuru and Passang Tsheri. It will be their job to melt enough water to keep everyone hydrated and any food anyone thinks they can eat. Most popular is usually RaRa (Ramen) noodles and fruit cups.

This time Camp 3 should be easier than the last time. Last time the climbers were trying to push their bodies to further acclimatization so they didn’t use oxygen. This time they are going for the summit, so they will begin sleeping on oxygen for the first time tonight. They are also more acclimatized from their previous efforts so life should be easier. They will be sleeping on about ½ liter flow tonight, and then will continue breathing oxygen as they continue on up to the South Col and on to the summit.

Ellie Henke
Base Camp Manager