| Latest Update: All teams members have arrived in Singapore on Wednesday 15 June 2005 at 1400 hours. More ... |
Everest Base Camp, 4 June 2005:
Early this morning, a cheerful Stefen called on the walkie to announce that he and Yen Kai were returning to Base Camp in time for lunch. Their request: Laksa.
His upbeat tone assured his team mates that his toes suffered little damage. Yen Kai, though still tired, was also well.
There was little time to waste after their arrival as equipment had to be packed as everyone would be leaving base camp on June 6, when 90 yaks would be arriving to carry the loads down the mountain.
Stefen and Yen Kai, who were the ones in charge of the gear, had to sort out and pack them in duffels, record the contents and mark them according to their destination -- Kathmandu or Singapore.
That night, dinner was a soul-searching affair. The expedition directors, the three new Everest summiters and their team mates mulled through the three years they had spent together, the hard work and sacrifices, the seemingly-endless months at Everest Base Camp.
There was a lot to be thankful for, not least the life-long friendships they had made, the opportunity from NUS, and the time and commitment of the directors in honing their climbing skills.
Whether and when their next mountaineering expedition would be, no one could say. There were careers to pursue and studies to focus on. But one thing was sure, these young mountaineers would always treasure this life-changing adventure.
Everest Base Camp, 3 June 2005:
Khong Lean returned to base camp today with expedition director Edwin and received a warm welcome. The two took their time leaving Camp 2, enjoying their last view of the Western Cwm where they sat and gazed for 30 minutes, soaking in the beauty of the mountains that they had been allowed to share.
"On the way down, I felt happy about the success of the expedition," Khong Lean said. "I am also glad that it was conducted in a safe manner with no injuries and casualties.
"I also thought about the three years of preparation. I think that for the five of us and as well as those members who had left the University, what is valuable is the friendship made and lessons learnt on the mountains as well as in Singapore."
E-Fung and Yen Kai, up at South Col, began their descent to Camp 2. E-Fung was none the worse for his frostnipped toes and wanted to come straight down to Base Camp. But he was told it would be dangerous to cross the icefall in mid-afternoon. So much as the duo wanted the comforts of BC, they had to spend one more night at Camp 2.
Everest Base Camp, 2 June 2005:
Today has been a day of celebration and concerns.
At 9.30am, E-Fung stepped onto the summit of Everest, his voice announcing the event loud and clear. It had been a grueling climb of just over 12 hours.
Then it was a finger-biting wait until 11.38am when Yen Kai repeated the feat, thus becoming the first Singaporean to stand on the world’s highest peak. (Edwin Siew and Khoo Swee Chiow, who summitted Everest in 1998, were then Malaysians and Singapore permanent residents. Both have since taken up Singapore citizenship.) This fact will be recorded in the annals of mountaineering.
But as all mountaineers know, "going up is optional, coming down is mandatory". And more accidents and deaths occur during the descent than the ascent.
E-Fung arrived at South Col (Camp 4) at 3pm, totally exhausted but in good spirits. It was a relief until he noticed, while resting, that the toes on his left foot were numb. Two of the toes were slightly purple. He sought medical advice from Base Camp, and the assessment made was that of a touch of frostnip.
It was difficult to tell if the toes would swell the next day. If they did, E-Fung would not be able to put on his boots to walk down the mountain. That would mean that he would have to descend there and then. But it was already 5pm and crossing the icefall in the dark would be too dangerous. Besides, E-Fung was very tired.
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Yen Kai (left) and E-Fung with
the NUS flag at South Col |
Without looking at the toes, it was a tough guess as to whether they would swell. So Dave Morton, an experienced mountaineer and guide, and a good friend from the Cho Oyu climb who was in the tents nearby, was asked to look at the toes. Having seen many frostbitten cases, he would be able to make a good judgment.
"They don't look very serious to me," Dave’s voice came on the walkie, to the relief of all. "It seems to be superficial frostnips." Medication was prescribed and E-Fung slept with his inner on just in case the toes swelled during the night.
But where was Yen Kai? There have not been any walkie contact for hours. His descent had taken an inordinately long time. We could only guess what his condition would be like, having spent over 18 hours on the mountain since leaving Camp 4 at 9pm the previous night.
Finally, at about 6pm, word came that he had arrived at Camp 4. He was very tired, but otherwise in good shape.
There was relief all round at Base Camp, but not letting down of our guard.There was still the descent from South Col the next day. The two exhausted climbers would have to come down the infamous Lhotse Face, Western Cwm, and down to Camp 2. And the final crossing of the Khumbu Icefall, by now crumbled and melting.
Everest Base Camp, 1 June 2005:
Group 2 members left at 9pm for the summit. The winds were not as strong as the previous night but still whipping the tents.
Just before midnight, Khong Lean felt the winds were too strong for him. His hands and feet were feeling very cold. Having suffered frostbite in his fingers at Cho Oyu, he knew how dangerous it is to ignore cold extremities. So he decided to head back to Camp 4. It was disappointing, but as any sensible mountaineer knows, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Meanwhile, E-Fung and Yen Kai were feeling strong and pushed towards the summit...
Everest Base Camp, 31 May 2005:
At 7.25am Nepal time this morning, Lindley summited Everest. The NUS Centennial Everest Expedition is thus a success. Lindley remained on the summit for about 35 minutes and had to descend because of the high winds. The ten-and-a-half-hour climb from Camp 4 was exhausting but there was no suppressing his excitement.
Ernest, who was climbing with Lindley in Group 1 was doing extremely well during the summit bid. Unfortunately the oxygen bottle he switched to at the Balcony was faulty and he had to return to Camp 4. It was devastating, but it was one of those situations that was out of our control. We know that Ernest would have made it to the summit, had this not happened.
Group 2 arrived at Camp 4 in good spirits today. It was a long and tiring climb from Camp 3, although the oxygen helped. On the way, they received the news of Lindley's summit success and were delighted and encouraged.
At Camp 4, they rested a few hours, preparing to set off for the summit at about 9pm.
Strong winds were blowing non-stop the whole afternoon and into the night. At 8pm, winds were whipping at 60 - 70 knots, sometimes gusting at 80 knots. The team assessed the situation and decided to postpone their summit bid by a day. They spent another night at Camp 4, and hope the winds will die down somewhat the next night.
Everest Base Camp, 30 May 2005:
Adrenalin was pumping today as Group 1 -- Lindley and Ernest -- headed towards Camp 4 at the South Col. They had slept on oxygen at Camp 3 during the night and from here, they will be using bottled oxygen during the climb. They arrived at 1215 and 1315 respectively, going at a comfortable pace so as not to tire themselves too much.
The mountain was crowded with an estimated 60 to 70 climbers, including Sherpas. The first summits were reported this morning by climbers who were moving just behind the group of Sherpas who were fixing the ropes. By 7.30am or so, some climbers had reached the South Summit but were not able to proceed as the Sherpas were still fixing ropes, a process made slower by the knee-deep snow. By about 9.30am, several reached the summit, including famous mountaineer and guide Dave Hahn who chalked up his 6th Everest summit.
Our guys were thankful they decided to go a day later as the wait at South Summit could be devastatingly cold. A few climbers were reported to have turned round after the South Summit. Tonight, they will leave Camp 4 at about 9pm. Estimated time of summit is about 6am - 7am.
Group 2 members, E-Fung, Khong Lean and Yen Kai, will leave Camp 3 tomorrow morning at about 6.30am and head toward the South Col.
Everest Base Camp, 29 May 2005:
Group 1 members Lindley and Ernest left Camp 2 at 6.30am this morning and arrived at Camp 3 in just four and a half hours. They were feeling strong, despite the five-day wait at Camp 2. Everyone in the team is encouraged by their performance.
Also climbing up to Camp 3 today were over 70 climbers. One camp ahead of them are another 50. It seems the entire camp's climbers are trying to get to the summit before the end of the climbing season. The weather has been rather kind during the day with some sun, occasionally clouded over and some wind.
When the two guys set off tomorrow morning for the South Col (Camp 4), Group
2 members, Khong Lean, E-Fung and Yen Kai will leave for Camp 3.
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