Hey Cybernauts,
Last night's Easter party had little to do with our decision not to climb into the Icefall today. Even though we had a raucous good time, with two guitars a strumming and blues harps wailing, weather and psyche kept us out the Icefall. And good thing too, but first about the soiree.
Our friend Bruno, from the French team, came over to play vintage country & western tunes on my Martin guitar. Rob and friends from another team brought over their guitars as well. It was then we discovered our own "Brother James" has a gift for improvising blues lyrics. So with guitars, and my own blues harmonica, backing him, James ripped off an amazing rendition of "Everest Blues." This was all captured on camera for French television, possibly several different channels. Cool. Even cooler, the French broke out some fine French wine to go with their foie gras. Fun was had by all and we were in our sacks before the moon came up.
Fortunately, we had already decided to not try to go to Camp I. There was a massive serac fall this morning that not only obliterated part of the route, but wrenched two Sherpa off a ladder and threw them into a crevasse. One brave man suffered a broken back while the other was severely shaken. A team of rescue Sherpa evacuated the two men down through the towering seracs and debris to Base Camp where they were quickly flown to Kathmandu by helicopter. This drives home the point to all that the Khumbu can be quite a risky passage and we will have to be on guard when the route is soon re-established.
Patience is a virtue, and we hope that our waiting will bode well for us. Thank you for your warm thoughts and words of encouragement. You are in our thoughts as well.
— Vern Tejas, Alpine Ascents International Guide and MountainZone.com Correspondent