by Michael at 03:07 AM (PDT) on April 26, 2005
So we are back at ABC after having spent 2 nights at the North Col. Scott and I have carried a number of loads prior to sleeping there so the transition wasn’t too bad. It is a bit of a mind trip to be sleeping higher than any peak in North or South America. Hiking up to camp 2 (7500m)yesterday was a bit of a challenge. I don’t think I’ve ever hiked slower in my life and the wind was constantly blowing quite strong. The feathered friends down suit came in quite handy and kept us very warm in what wasunfavorable conditions for going high. It took us about 4 hours up and 1hour down which our Sherpas think was pretty good for our first time. Lakpa and DaNgima have established camp 3 at 7900m. If the weather is good they will start establishing camp 4 at 8300m in the next few days.
Ambrose, Ryan, and Al arrived back at ABC from BC yesterday. They are feeling quite strong now and are ready to carry some oxygen to the North Col tomorrow. It is nice to have everyone (almost) back together.
The other big news is Brook is headed back to Seattle. Everyone is going to have to wait for Brook to post for his perspective on this. He took his computer and Sat phone with him. This email is being sent from Jamie McGuinness’ computer so there may be a few glitches with it getting to the blog site. Brook will still monitor his Sat phone in the case someone leaves an emergency message for one of us on it.
Best Wishes and we love you all! Michael