Wilderness Medicine Conference at Everest Base Camp Dispatch
October 17, 2009 – Each Day Is Better Than the Last
We moved above Pheriche at 4200 meters with anticipation and a degree of humility – we moved to over 5000 meters, not just for a quick visit, but to live for three nights.
Luanne Freer and Eric Johnson know well about the demands of living for extended periods of time that humans can survive at these elevations. They have each worked for weeks at a time as doctors in Everest Base Camp.
Our walk up the Khumbu Glacier was a nostalgic one for them. Wally Berg commented that the first days climbers and residents move into Base Camp are the hardest. We all felt the lethargy and breathlessness that comes in the initial hours and days in extremely high altitudes. We also reveled in the beauty around us, the stories that flowed from our faculty members and one another’s company.
The following photos will offer a sample of our unforgettable days on the Khumbu Glacier in October 2009.
Porters along the trail to Lobouche and Gorak Shep
Ang Tshering and Patricia on the trail to Lobuche with Pumori above
Left: Lakpa Sherpa, one of our trekking guides has been a key staff member at Everest ER in recent years. Right: Mingma Sherpa, Everest summiter and one of our trekking guides for this CME trek
The trail above Gorak Shep led upward toward Kala Pattar and Pumori
From Kala Pattar, 18,300 feet, we had amazing view of sunset on the summit of Everest
Kala Pattar summit team at sunset
Left: The 14th was Wouter’s birthday so the Sherpas baked a cake for him. He and Patricia had forgotten what day it was and they were both surprised; Right: Back at our warm lodge Mark is satisfied
When we headed towards Everest Base Camp, the historic features that are so important to mountaineering history, such as the Lho La and Khumbu Icefall, beckoned.
Team at the site of Everest Base Camp, which sat empty in this fall season
Luanne offered a lecture at the base of the Khumbu Icefall while we enjoyed a lunch that included one of our favorite staples: peanut butter
As we were talking about avalanches and avalanche rescue, the mountain provided an impressive visual aid
Eric, Bill and Jim were all smiles in the sunny glacier surroundings. Our weather was superb.
Jim at EBC
After lunch we moved into the ice
Johanna taking her first tentative steps on the ice…. Perhaps she will return!
Shelley trekking on the moraine trail
Left: Christine at base of the Khumbu Icefall; Right: Teva loved being at Base Camp and in the ice!
Left: In a fashion conscious team, it was Jeff in the end who won the best dressed award; Right: Mohan, Wally’s camera and computer porter, was right with us each step of the way