Daily Dispatches
Satellite phone updates from the 1998 American Everest Expedition
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Mencin
Second Attempt Underway
Tuesday, May 19, 1998 — 10am PST
Tuesday, May 19, 1998 — 11:45pm Nepal Time
Hear Dave Mencin's call from Base Camp
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Beginning of the summit route up the Triangular Face viewed from the South Col
[click to zoom]
(photo: Burleson/ Alpine Ascents)
Mountain Zone, this is Dave Mencin. OK, we have lots of big news again. As you know, yesterday, all the climbers were turned back at the South Summit. Almost 60 climbers total were turned back at the South Summit, and no one summitted yesterday.

After some re-grouping, we were able to get Wally and some very strong Sherpas from the Bob Hoffman team, Apa in particular, who is a seven time summiter [editor's note: Apa Sherpa is an eight time Everest summiter], has decided to go up and try to fix the section from the South Summit to the Hilary Step, not very far, and they will be returning with the proper equipment. So, Wally just checked in, he's leaving the South Col. It's quarter to twelve.


Apa Sherpa
[click to zoom]
(photo: Lakpa Rita/ Alpine Ascents)
The route is already fixed to the South Summit; it should be easy going. The weather is another repeat performance of yesterday. Looks like it is going to be a beautiful day. Temperatures here at base camp are not even freezing. We're above freezing, actually the first time since we've been here.

Wally sounded like he was in good spirits and in great health and will be traveling very light. The team yesterday dumped all the important equipment and oxygen at the South Summit, so Wally and Apa and the rest of the Sherpas from Bob Hoffman's team will be traveling extremely light. It'll be a very good trip for them, and I'll keep you informed.

The rest of the members, yesterday, in order to conserve resources, descended to Camp III. They're all safe in Camp III today and will descend to base camp. So, Wally, Eric and Charles, [editors's note: Mencin misspoke here. The climbers in Camp III are Greg, Eric, and Charles. Wally Berg has just left the South Col to attempt the summit.] after making a valiant effort and establishing a very difficult route up to the South Summit, which is now fixed, will return to base camp today. I'll keep you informed as Wally checks in with me. Like I said, it's going to be another exciting day. Talk to you soon.

— David Mencin, Expedition Scientist

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