Mt. Everest 2004: Mountain Madness Expedition 2004

Day 14 - April 9, 2004: Sarah Henley reporting from base camp- After a nice mellow morning with the group, Willie, Gary, Gene, and Murray went into the Khumbu Icefall for the first time this trip. Willie of course has been through the maze of ice and crevasses many times. Today Gene experienced it for the first time.  During an attempt in 2002, Gary made into the icefall but injured his leg while climbing on some ice. His injury put an end to the trip, so he is excited to be back this year and anxious to get to work on the mountain. Today then, Gary made his personal best on Everest! For Murray this is familiar terrain from a previous expedition that got him to the south col one day from the summit.

The trekkers hiked to the base of the ice fall and watched a train of climbers navigate through the icefall. An impressive sight for all! Casey Henley gave a glaciology and mountain features talk at the base of the icefall for those unfamiliar with this unique environment, set in the best classroom you can imagine. Tonight is the final night for the whole group being together. After saying their goodbyes to the climbers in the morning the trekkers will begin their four day hike back to Lukla, complete with memories to last a lifetime.

Day 13 - April 8,2004: Sarah Henley reporting from Everest base camp at approximately 17,600'. The whole crew, trekkers and climbers, have finally made it to the point where the adventure begins for some and ends for others. For most of the group this is the highest they have ever been or at least the highest they have slept. When the trekking group arrived this morning, the Puja ceremony had begun. A Lama came all the way to base camp from the village of Tengboche to bless the climbers and the gear they will be using on the mountain for good luck and a safe climb. Climbers and trekkers alike were blessed with flowers and doused with water all over their heads and faces. Everyone sang and danced while sipping whisky, beer and coke. The rest of the day consisted of much logistical organization of base camp for climbers, which is a very elaborate setup. Basecamp is complete with communication centers, tents everywhere, climbing hardware and food strewn about and being prepared, and people from all over the world in a high state of anxiety and excitement of the climb ahead.

 

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