Hello there Cybernauts,
Our first foray onto the mountain came to a close today. We spent the last two nights at Camp II, approximately 21,143 feet above the sea, in order to start our high altitude acclimatization program. It seems to be working, as most every team member was able to sleep through the night without too much discomfort. We arose at the veritable crack of dawn this morning and were on the trail by 6:00am. This is prudent when descending down through the notorious Khumbu Icefall for it allows for a safer passage than traveling in the heat of the day.
Believe it or not, there is a tremendous temperature swing induced by the sun's radiation. It will be seven degrees in the shadows of Everest and when the sun comes out the temperature can soar easily into the eighties. This thermal shock can un-stabilize the large blocks of ice that form the Icefall that our route passes through. So we want to get down through the precarious mess as early and as fast as possible. Fortunately, the team is moving well and we were able to descend in six hours. It is actually fun to move fast, aided by gravity rather than fighting it as we have for the last several days.
Then there was an ominous rumble. The radios cracked. It was Willi. He was bringing up the rear when a serac of blue ice tumbled down less then a rope length away. He moved quickly and decisively. Injury was avoided yet the message was clear, this is a wild and dangerous place, beware.
We were greeted by Mingma Dorjee 20 minutes from Base Camp, carrying fresh fruit and a kettle of cold juice. The pause that refreshes. Then it was showers and shaves all around followed a scrumptious lunch. We all enjoyed receiving mail from home. Then we spent the rest of the afternoon resting and answering mail. This climbing can be pretty rough.
Thinking of you all,
Vernon
