Autumn Mt. Everest 2004: Back in ABC...

Update: Back in ABC

After spending a nice couple of days in BC, it was time to go to ABC if we were ever going to get up the mountain. The group had to be split up, because only four people can sleep in IC. Marc and Boris, who had become fed up with base camp, went first. Mark left the following day at six am, because they wanted to complete the route without spending the night in IC. Werner, Sander and Ruby left a couple of hours after that, so they could walk to IC leisurely. That proved to be harder than expected. Even though we had recovered from our ailments, and we were better acclimatized, the 'pit' of rocks of all shapes sizes remained very tough to walk on.

After having spent an hour in IC in our sleeping bags, we suddenly heard Mark's voice. He had had a terrible time and had decided not to finish the stage, but to return to IC. The next day it came out that he wanted to return to BC, and to abandon the expedition. We were quite shocked, but all we could do was accept it. That night in ABC the atmosphere hit rock bottom. Everybody was turned inwards, chewing mutton, beans and rice.

But a new day brought new activities to focus on. On top of that it had been snowing a lot, so we awoke to a fairy landscape.

At eight o'clock the Sherpas left for the North Col to put up tents and to set up fixed ropes along the route to camp 2. Also they could pull out the fixed ropes towards the North Col for the others who left an hour after them. They're hoping to reach the North Col despite a heavy bag full of sleeping- and eating gear. They're looking to spend the night, touch upon camp 2, and return. Werner, Marc and Boris are going to take it easy and will try to move some gear up in the next few days.

In BC they have succeeded in sending the expedition maps to the people who are supporting the Disabled Women Project.

Dispatches

On the Tibet Side of Everest, a Dutch Team will attempt the mountain.

The Dutch team is

Werner de Jong (expedition leader)
Marc Streefkerk (climber)
Mark Thijssen (climber)
Boris Krielen (climber)
Sander Arens (climber)
Ruby Arens-Halfschepel

with another climber joining the expedition...

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.

  Altitude pre-
   acclimatization

   Ascenders

   Atlas snowshoes

   Black Diamond

   Botas

   Brunton

   Carabiners

   CaVa Climbing Shoes
   Clearance

   Clif Bar

   CMI

   Crampons

   Edelweiss ropes
   Eureka Tents

   Featured

   FoxRiver

   Garmin

   Granite Gear

   Harnesses
   Headlamps
   Helmets

   HighGear
   Ice Axes

   Kavu Eyewear

   Katadyn

   Kong

   Lekisport

   Lowepro

   Motorola

   Nalgene

   New England Ropes

   Nikwax

   Omega

   Outdoor Designs

   Pelican

   PowerBar

   Princeton Tec

   Prescription Glacier

   Glasses

   Primus

   Rope Bags

   Seattle Sports

   Serius
   Sleeping Bags

   Stubai

   Suunto

   Tents

   Trekking Poles
   Ushba
   and more here