50 Years of Everest
Alpine Ascents International
EVEREST UPDATES
Email:
SEARCH EVEREST


Google
MORE EVEREST



NEPAL TIME:
 Home > South Col Dispatches Index > May 30 Dispatch

Silent Night
Base Camp - Friday, May 30, 2003; 02.00h NST

Elle
Elle
DISPATCHES

Everest 2003 Dispatch Photo
Above Camp IV
Photo Archives

Hello in cyberland,

It's 2:00 am on Mt. Everest, and no news is good news - it means everyone is keeping their mittens on. It's still a beautiful, clear cold night and as far as we know everything is going well. The guides would call us immediately if there were any problems. Right now they are just putting one foot in front of the other. At least here at Base Camp there is no wind at all, and we have no indication of much wind up higher either.

The juniper fire is still burning and will be all night and tomorrow until everyone is safe back at the south col. For those of you who saw the picture of my "Mani Quilt" that was posted earlier in the expedition, I have placed it on the puja altar for the duration of the climb. Gopal has been taking the first radio watch, and while lying in my sleeping bag (I can't say I've actually been doing much sleeping, but at least it was warm) I've been visualizing the team wrapped in the quilt, all warm and safe and blessed.




Ong Chu was in his sleeping bag for an hour or so as well, but when I got up he was up too - said he couldn't sleep either, so might as well get up. He and Gopal and Lakpa were all huddled in front of the heater in the dining tent.

So signing off for now. I'll let you all know as soon as we hear anything.

Ellie Henke, Alpine Ascents International Guide and MountainZone.com Correspondent

email a friend