Mt. Everest 2004: IMG Mount Everest Expedition 2004
South Side (Nepal) Dispatch 4

IMG 2004 Everest Nepal Dispatch #4 Wednesday, April 7, 2004 - Base Camp

IMG leader Mark Tucker phoned in from Base Camp to let us know that all is well on the hill! The entire group of climbers and trekkers successfully reached Base Camp by April 5th. After leaving Dingboche, their itinerary included overnights at Pheriche, Lobuche and Gorak Shep. The team spent the first evening at Base Camp enjoying the awesome set-up already in place and then they all hit the tents fairly early.

The Puja ceremony was held on the morning of April 6th, and all were able participate and observe this special ritual presided over by monks from a nearby monastery and required by the Sherpas prior to the formal launch of the expedition. With a "good puja" behind them and the prayer flags now streaming over the camp, the entire team was in festive spirits as they explored the Base Camp region and enjoyed a special dinner feast before calling it a day. The Sherpas now have the 'green light' to begin moving up through the Khumbu Icefall to establish the higher camps tomorrow, the rest of the summit team will rest at Base Camp for another day or two before making their first foray into the Icefall.

The trekkers and Island Peak climbers, along with their support staff and IMG leaders Phil and Susan Ershler all bid farewell to Base Camp and the summit team this morning. They began their journey down the valley, planning to stay at Pheriche tonight. Tomorrow, Phil, Mark and Shelley Damm, and Mark Holbrook will head up the Imja Khola, planning to tackle Island Peak in the coming four days. Susan, Kathleen, Kelly and Richard will continue down to Namche, then Lukla, then fly back to Kathmandu.

We'll let you know when we hear more ....

Eric Simonson IMG Expeditions

Eric Simonson, veteran expedition leader, Everest Summiter, author and motivational speaker.   Dispatches

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