Here’s the motley crew enjoying a good weather day at basecamp (BC) while beginning preparations for the grueling twelve mile one-way journey to advanced basecamp (ABC). We will make the trip to ABC three times over the next few weeks- that’s over 72 miles of trekking with a full pack at elevations between 17,000 and 21,000. If you need to lose ten to twenty pounds this is one of the few weight loss programs that is 100% guaranteed.
Getting comfortable after arriving at Camp 2 just below the Death Zone at 25,000 feet. The little yellow specks on the very right side of the photo are Camp 1 about 2,000 feet below us. We will sleep with a slow flow of oxygen tonight hoping to get a little rest.
I left at 9:30 p.m. with the hope of reaching the summit by early morning. Everything went according to plan and I arrived at 6:45 a.m. shortly after sunrise.
The weather was everything that you dream about; low winds, no storms on the horizon, sunny and about -22 degrees F. I laughed, cried and enjoyed the views for almost forty minutes before feeling compelled to head South. Knowing that most deaths occur on the way down was certainly impressed on my mind as I counted no less than seven bodies on my back to Camp 3. Some had been there for years while one of them had only arrived within the last eight hours. They were indeed surreal images that will not soon be erased from my memory.
We had arrived back in Kathmandu on May 25, just in time for the country’s celebration of Everest Day. We had enough time to shower and catch a taxi to the celebration party. As we walked in they were calling our names to come up and receive a medal and special embossed scarf. Seven out of the nine members of our group had summited. I couldn’t have planned the end of my almost four year Seven Summit adventure any better. It was now time to indulge in the all-you-can-eat buffet and beer fest.
Photos & story by Troy Aupperle
The highest peak in Asia.
29,035’
5-22-09
My first view of the North side of the world’s highest mountain was jaw-dropping. We’re standing at about 17,00 feet looking up another 12,000 feet to the summit. All I could mumble was, “oh my God”. If this doesn’t inspire your soul then you must already be dead.
