|
Everest Base Camp, 21 May 2005:
With everyone in EBC waiting impatiently for better weather, it was a welcomed distraction when the staff at the Himalayan Rescue Association camp organised a barter trade fair this morning. The idea was to bring anything one did not need or want and exchange it with something belonging to someone else.
Our members gathered their extra personal equipment and belongings such as DVDs and books, and excess snacks, and set up a stall among the several already there by 10am.
The space next to the HRA medical tent was packed with expedition members and Sherpas. Our members swopped Snicker bars and ikan bilis for books, magazines and other snacks. Their DVDs went for song while a couple of extra harnesses and other personal equipment were sold at great loss to Sherpas who had nothing to swop. Throughout the two hours or so, a member from another team entertained with music from his harmonica.
It was a good way to get to know members of other expeditions, as well as to spend a morning which would otherwise hang heavy on our hands.
In the afternoon, Khong Lean, Yen Kai and Stefen decided to trek to Pumori, the same route taken by Lindley and Ernest the day before.
All eyes are now on May 28 or 29 as summit dates, but again, depending on confirmation from the weather forecasts.
Everest Base Camp, 20 May 2005:
Waiting at the Base Camp for a summit window, doing little more than eating, reading, and watching movies, the body can become lethargic. So this afternoon, Lindley and Ernest decided to take a walk -- a four-hour trek to the Base Camp of Pumori (7,150m). They felt so invigorated that they decided to climb up to the mountain's Camp 1. There were no climbers on the mountain this season. The duo returned to EBC at 5.15pm, obviously quite pleased with themselves.
Everest Base Camp, 19 May 2005:
The wait continues.
Everest Base Camp, 18 May 2005:
The weather has become the centre of our lives. Everyone is kept informed of the details of each forecast, not only that from the Meteorological Services of Singapore (MSS) but also those received by our agents Great Escapes, and other teams in EBC. Every dip in the predicted windspeed is examined, together with the corresponding pressures, humidity, position of the jetstream if any, and a host of other factors.
The watch continues.
Everest Base Camp, 17 May 2005:
The air was filled with excitement and apprehension, and some relief, that finally Group 1 members -- Lindley and Ernest -- were due to leave for its summit bid the next morning. Arrangements were made for an early morning wake-up call and breakfast for a 6am departure.
Then after dinner, Lindley gave the latest weather forecast: Contrary to previous forecasts, wind speeds on May 21 and 22 were expected to be high. The targetted summit day of 22nd didn't seem like a good window after all. After some initial frustration and disappointment, the decision was made to postpone the summit bid. A couple of other teams were leaving the next day nevertheless, but it was a risk our team was not willing to take.
The weather forecasts, from both MSS and other sources obtained by other teams, have shown unstable conditions, and sometimes uncertain weather patterns. It is almost more an art than a science trying to determine possible summit windows. As the month draws to a close, there is optimism that a fairly long window will open up in the final week.
Everest Base Camp, 16 May 2005:
This is match-making day. Not the usual boy-meets-girl event but rather the matching of climber with Sherpa.
After breakfast, our Sirda Kamicame with his team of Sherpas came and told everyone which Sherpa would be teamed up with which members.
This is important because each member needs to get to know his Sherpa before the summit bid. And the Sherpa in turn should know the member's strengths and weaknesses as well as any particular needs on the mountain.
Kami had put a lot of thought into the pairing and made what everyone thought were good matches. The more experienced Sherpas were teamed with members who would need more guidance. After the meeting, the members chatted with their Sherpas. This getting-to-know-you process will continue over the coming days. And from the experience at Cho Oyu, it is likely that a close bond will develop between member and Sherpa.
Meanwhile, some Sherpas have been up beyond South Col and about 300m of ropes have been fixed above that. There is still some way more before the ropes are fixed up to the Balcony. We can only wait...
Everest Base Camp, 15 May 2005:
A lengthy meeting took place today after breakfast with Ang Jangu, a boss of the agent who is here to run the camp. We worked out the exact oxygen needs of the team and the logistics arrangements to ensure the bottles are available when needed for the first and second summit bids by both groups.
After that, it was another day of relaxation.
Just before lunch, Kim Boon, one of the expedition directors, returned from his final acclimatisation cycle. It has been a long time since all the expedition members were together at Base Camp, and it was good to have everyone here again.
|
back to top