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 Home > South Col Dispatches Index > May 18 Dispatch

Window Watching
Base Camp - Sunday, May 18, 2003

Benitez
Benitez
DISPATCHES

Everest 2003 Dispatch Photo
Camp I
Moving up

Hi there everybody out there in Mountain Zone land. This is Luis Benitez reporting back, from Everest Base Camp.

We all arrived back in Base Camp this afternoon to a light falling snow and the rumblings of teams being at Camp II and various places on the mountain. We're excited to be back and we're excited the final push has finally begun. But we've also been checking the weather and are seeing that no forward fixed rope activity has happened above the South Col. We're a little discouraged by that, but we're somewhat hopeful that tomorrow will bring better weather, lower winds, and the opening of the first summit window.




There are teams up there, poised and ready, and we're waiting for the larger groups to get out of the way so our summit day will be less crowded. So, right now we're resting, eating, and happy to be back in Base Camp. Tomorrow were going to be working on oxygen systems, as well as getting our own personal equipment ready, and keeping an eye on the weather.

Everybody's spirits are high, everyone is feeling really good. I think we all gained a few pounds down the valley, so we're all excited about that. And we're also looking forward to getting back on Ong Chu home cooking here at Base Camp.

This is Luis wishing everyone back home a good evening!

Luis Benitez, Alpine Ascents International Guide and MountainZone.com Correspondent

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