Makalu Expedition 2004 lead by Norwegian Sven Gangdal: Update 7

"...After 14 days of spectacular trekking from Tumlingtar up to Makalu BC 5700 mtrs we are in position to start the real climbing. The mountain and the route to the summit are extremely beautiful, snow, ice and rock. Two days ago we had a praying ceremony with the sherpas, and yesterday everybody were climbing above 6000 mtrs. The five members were in different condition regarding the acclimatization, and today we all have had a rest day in BC.

Our crazy strong sherpas made Camp1 (C1) on 6500 mtrs today, and tomorrow all the members are going up, either to stay overnight in a deposit camp on 6000 mtrs or in C1. Some of us are planning to stay in C1 for some days if the health is good, and then make the way up to C2 on 7400 mtrs together with the sherpas.

The conditions of the route are perfect, and the weather could not be better. We hope of course that this will last for some weeks. Within the exp we are having an exciting time. We are all five members very different persons coming from five very different cultures. The quality of the exp however, has been very high, and we have had a great time with a lot of fun so far. Nothing indicates that this will change throughout the expedition.

Right now I am longing for two things. First of all for my family, my wife and children. And second to climb Makalu to the summit after two years of planning and many years of dreaming. This is all for now, next writing in our homepage is Pepino.

All my love to Eli, Lars, Fredrik, Kaja, my brother Jon, my mother, all my close friends and all my friends in the Norwegian Federation of Sports and Olympic Committee. Best regards from Brit, Stian, Mick, Pepino and all the best from Sven..."

Dispatches

 

Altitech2: Digital Altimeter, Barometer, Compass and Thermometer. Time/Date/Alarms. Chronograph with 24 hour working range. Timer with stop, repeat and up function. Rotating Bezel. Leveling bubble. Carabiner latch. E.L. 3 second backlight. Water resistant. 4" x 2-1/4" x 3/4" 2 oz. Requires 1 CR2032 battery. See more here.

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