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Title image - BAI takes you to: Mt. Everest

Jamie Clarke’s Expedition Hanesbrands Everest Dispatch

April 16, 2010 – Settling in at Base Camp

We are settling into a routine at Everest Base Camp now; the season is fully underway, the climbing has begun and the interesting cast of characters that make up a spring South Col Route Everest climbing season have arrived.

On April 15th, Jamie and Scott were off through the Khumbu Icefall headed for Camp I at 19,400 feet/5,900m above sea level. On this trip they would only spend one night at Camp I. Both Jamie and Scott are suffering from coughs due to the dry cold air of the Khumbu region; it is best not to push it at this stage of the game. Jamie and Scott both gained acclimatization from this trip up, and since they are both experienced climbers the trip back through the Icefall to Base Camp where they can rest better was not a big deal.

Jamie at 7:00 AM on April 15th, as he and Scott were leaving for their first full trip through the icefall.

Jamie at 7:00 AM on April 15th, as he and Scott were leaving for their first full trip through the icefall.

Meanwhile, all of us still at Base Camp on the 15th were able to attend the grand opening of David Breashears' Photo Exhibit, which is adjacent to the Expedition Hanesbrands camp. After watching David and his team work tirelessly for days, it was fun to gather with all the other climbers and support staff to appreciate the photographic work that David has compiled. This will be significant research that will add immeasurably to our understanding of the diminishing glaciers of the Himalaya during the historical period of mountaineering and exploration known well to mountaineers of my generation. David has been working for more than two years to capture images from the same locations of the historical photographs.

David’s display at Base Camp this year was sponsored by the Richard D. Bass (Dick Bass) foundation.

David’s display at Base Camp this year was sponsored by the Richard D. Bass (Dick Bass) foundation.

As we entered the massive tent, David and his team greeted us, with the prints they had hung carefully around the walls of the tent, ready to be viewed.

As we entered the massive tent, David and his team greeted us, with the prints they had hung carefully around the walls of the tent, ready to be viewed.

David describes the work to one of the expedition leaders in front of historical and current photos of Rongbuk Glacier in the north side of Everest.

David describes the work to one of the expedition leaders in front of historical and current photos of Rongbuk Glacier in the north side of Everest.

Ang Nima Sherpa, the venerable “Icefall Doctor” visits with another of this season’s expedition leaders

Ang Nima Sherpa, the venerable “Icefall Doctor” visits with another of this season’s expedition leaders

Outside, David compares historical photo with today’s Icefall with two Sherpas.

Outside, David compares historical photo with today’s Icefall with two Sherpas.

Outside the Exhibit a group of expedition leaders and guides gathered for a photo.

Outside the Exhibit a group of expedition leaders and guides gathered for a photo.

On the morning of April 16th we gathered at the Hanesbrands Champion camp for a meeting of all team leaders. Wally Berg introduced his old friend Ang Dorjee Sherpa who has recently been named Chairman of the Board of Directors for the SPCC, the Sagamartha Pollution Control Committee. The SPCC was founded 18 year ago to control rubbish and environmental standards along the trail to Everest Base Camp and on the mountain. Soon afterward the SPCC began establishing and maintaining the route through the Icefall to subsidize the costs of keeping the Khumbu clean. Ang Dorjee made the trek to EBC to meet with the leaders, explain his organizations commitment and to answer questions. This kicked off a meeting that included discussion about fixing the route on the upper mountain and removal of human waste from Camp II, as well as sharing of radio frequencies and emergency equipment.

Ang Dorjee speaks to the assembled group of team leaders and climbers from a high point of ice on the moraine.  The Hanesbrands Camp is a jumble of ice and rock, but it will be home for the next weeks as Jamie climbs higher on the mountain.

Ang Dorjee speaks to the assembled group of team leaders and climbers from a high point of ice on the moraine. The Hanesbrands Camp is a jumble of ice and rock, but it will be home for the next weeks as Jamie climbs higher on the mountain.

Ang Dorjee told us that he last visited Everest Base Camp 18 years ago, in 1992.

Ang Dorjee told us that he last visited Everest Base Camp 18 years ago, in 1992.