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 Mt. Everest 2004: Irish Expedition | ||||||||
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| Dispatch - May 20 It is 09.00hrs here and those of us at Base Camp Wyeth are just about to depart to welcome our climbers down. They have started to descend the Ice Fall. We can not see them as the falling snow has visibility down to about 10m. The reliable Motorola radios again come up trumps. We have been in radio contact with the approaching group of trekkers. They are expecting to get to Base Camp Wyeth around 12.00hrs tomorrow. Later today we hope to send more details, but are experiencing some IT problems which I hope to fix after we greet our 8 returning friends. Apologies for the lack of information, but we have experienced interference from weather that has impacted on our satellite connection. We also have had trouble with recharging essential pieces of electronic equipment. But we are back, thanks to the help I got from Dawe and Da Rinji - Adrian. All the climbers have safely arrived at Base Camp Wyeth. They have eaten well and are resting. Sheila, Dawe and Adrian went to meet the climbers as they came down the Ice Fall. It was great to see them all coming. Lamababu, Jangbu, Pemba, Nang Chemmi, Lhakpa Ongchhu, Clare, Pat and Tensing. It was hugs, smiles laughs and tears. They all looked well. We all made our way back through the Ice Fall. As we approached Base Camp Wyeth we could see a large number of people gathered about our tents. Da Rinji was standing there with a beaming smile, surrounded by other Sherpas from different expeditions. It was a fantastic welcome. More hugs and congratulations and then the rucksacks were dropped. We all entered the mess tent and settled down to coke, tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Soon the food appeared and yet again Da Rinji produced a lovely meal. Clare, Pat and all the rest of us ate heartily at 11.00hrs. The talk started and soon we started to hear about the descent from Camp 2 Lowe Alpine. Their descent started at 06.00hrs in windy conditions, snow was falling and extreme care had to be taken as visibility was difficult at times. The cloud was thick and at times only 5m ahead could be seen. When they got lower visibility increased to about 10m. They were able to see hints of base camp below. They were delighted to see us as they came over an ice ridge. After eating, Clare, Pat and Pemba gave Adrian the batteries, cameras, films and radios. The climbers went off to change. Unfortunately, much of the electrical equipment started giving problems and this has kept Adrian busy for the afternoon. The satellite phone is also on the blink and Adrian is trying hard to sort this one out - a challenge indeed. Many visitors from other expeditions have been calling in throughout the afternoon. At long last we have managed to download images from cards to the Dell laptop. We just have to wait for it to be charged up. Satellite is now reloaded and so here is the latest dispatch. Pat and Clare are writing up the Summit Day and we hope to be able to bring you this in the very near future.
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