Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Acclimatize...
It seems alot has happened in the last few days. Currently we are all down at base camp enjoying the great hospitality of our cook Dawa and his assistant Dorje. Willie and Hilaree have emerged from our small group as the high altitude workhorses. Kasha and John are still plagued with occasional headaches and nausea -- doesn't that sound pleasant.
We spent the last two nights at camp 1- 6200m. Yesterday, Willie and Hilaree made a big effort to move tents and supplies to camp 2 - 7200m. We are now one of only three teams (there's about 150 climbers at base camp) that have established a space at C2. John and Kasha went a bit more conservative and turned around at 21,500. This ended up being a good move to allow ourselves a slower rate to acclimatize.
This afternoon I visited a few of my Sherpa friends that are working for other companies. Da Nuru is 27 he's summited Everest and Cho Oyu 6 times each, Phu Nuru is also around 27 and has about the same success. For these guys to go to camp1 then the additional 2500 feet up to camp 2 with a loaded pack full of their clients gear, is about the same time it takes us just to go to camp 1 with light loads....these guys are the superstars of the himalaya.
Tomorrow is our rest day in preparation for advancing higher in the next weeks...
Dinner has just arrived- gotta go...
best regards
john and team
