Mt. Everest 2004: Mountain Madness Expedition 2004

Day 17: April 12

This is Sarah Henley reporting from Everest Base Camp. I can say today was the first official day the team began climbing Mount Everest. After an early wake-up they hiked through the entire Khumbu Ice Fall and continued to camp 1, at 19,900 feet. Since it is their first time past 18,000 ft., this expedition, they came back to base camp to sleep and rest.

Willie is in high spirits and full of energy as usual. The rest of the guys seem good but are very hungry and tired.

The route this year through the ice fall is much longer than previous years but much safer. The report is there are some beautiful turquoise blue formations. Willie also describes some sections as "popcorn ice", the size of cars and busses.

The most exciting ladder in the whole fall is not one ladder, not two ladders, but six ladders tied together at about 80 degrees, which crosses at the top of the ice fall. These are 12 ft. ladders whice means this particular system was about 60 ft. long. Gary said this part was definitely exciting and scary all at once. "The best part was knowing it was almost the end of the ice fall. That is what helped me across that ladder," he said.

The next two days are rest days which is about what it will take to recover from this long day!

Day 18: April 13

This is Sarah Henley reporting from base camp. This morning we woke to a good amount of snow on the ground and our tents. Base camp with snow is just beautiful. Our sherpa team were planning on carrying loads today, to camp 2, but that trip was canceled because of the snow. The ice fall can become pretty hairy after a few inches. Once the snow begins to melt ice starts to move and traveling through the fall becomes dangerous. People do it but it is better to wait a day.

Today everyone is relaxing after their long day to camp 1 and back. Tomorrow they will do the same!

 

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