MountainZone.com



Alpine Ascents International

MORE EVEREST



NEPAL TIME:
 Home > South Col Dispatch Index > May 3 Dispatch

The Highest Night
Camp II- Saturday, May 4, 2002

Prittie
Roberts
listen to audioHear Mike's Call
LISTEN: [RealPlayer] [Windows Media]

(Requires a FREE media player to listen)
DISPATCHES
previousnext

Everest 2002 Dispatch Photo
Up to Camp II
(New Window)
Hi, this is Mike Roberts from Alpine Ascents on Saturday, the 4th of May. Today we spent a valuable rest and acclimatization day at Camp II.

The team slowly came to life at 8:15am when the sun hit the tents. We were treated to a wonderful breakfast of Mexican-style hashbrowns and bacon by our Camp II cooks.

In the sharp morning light, and with unrestricted visibility, we were able to watch some 70 climbers on the fixed ropes of the Lhotse Face. The majority of these were Sherpas carrying provisions to Camps III and IV. It was only on the 2nd and 3rd of May that weather finally allowed the Sherpas to complete the fixed ropes from Camp III to Camp IV on the South Col.

Fixing ropes between Camp III and Camp IV involves crossing two separate rock bands, known as the Yellow Band and the Geneva Spur. The teams at Camp III are clearly visible from Camp II. Camp III is essentially placed in the middle of the Lhotse Face. Pitching tents at Camp II involves fiercely cutting platforms out of the hard ice. This is a laborious and difficult task that we are extremely grateful to our Sherpas for carrying out.

So today, getting back to what we did after breakfast, we were at a training session for the fixed ropes of the Lhotse Face. This was done on a rope course we set up on the glacial ice immediately beside camp.

Lunch was yet another sumptuous meal where our cooks did a fantastic job, inspiring our altitude-dulled appetites. Rest and relaxation was the name of the afternoon; some played hearts while others read and dozed.

Given favorable weather, early tomorrow morning, the team will depart for Camp III, which is approximately 7100 meters or 23,000 feet where we will spend the highest night of our acclimatization program. This will be the acclimatization record for some folks.

Please tune in for an update tomorrow. Our love and thoughts go out to all family and friends. Jose Luis would like to send a special message of love to Marga and the kids as would Mike to Patty. That's all for now.

Mike Roberts, Alpine Ascents International Guide and MountainZone.com Correspondent

email a friend