Berg Adventures 2013 Everest Expedition Dispatch
May 20, 2013 – Team Is Leaving Base Camp after a Successful Expedition
It seems strange. After living out of this Base Camp for 45 days, it is time to leave. Our summit day was May 17th. We were not completely alone, but in the long hours of climbing in the darkness and winds above 8000 meters from the South Col our team had a true big mountain experience – fewer than 15 people reached the summit of Everest in May 17th. Yesterday nearly 10 times that many made it; we did not envy them as we heard accounts on the radio of jam ups and waiting at the Hillary Step.
Below are some photos of our climbers as they returned to Base Camp on the 18th and 19th. Congratulations to Todd, Steve, Daniel, Dawa Nuru, Tashi, Tsering and Arita. Yours was a great mountaineering effort, one that you should be proud of for the rest of your lives.
During the long nights of May 15 and May 16, while the team was on the South Col and above for the summit attempt, Wally and Temba slept in the Communication Tent, so that we could keep up with the news from up high.
Left: Daniel arrived at Base Camp from Camp II on May 18th, still wearing what he calls his “Onesie”, his one piece down suit. ; Right: Daniel enjoys his first beer at Base Camp. He is thinking that if he sews a beer cozy onto the chest of his Onesie, he might be able to wear it on hunting trips back home in Tennessee.
Temba and Daniel at Base Camp
Late in the afternoon on the 18th, Todd returned to Base Camp, having descended all the way from the South Col. The first thing that he did was complete the clockwise circle around the chorten at base, from where he had left for the summit days before.
We had been concerned about frostbite on Todd’s feet and face, so he descended all the way to Base on oxygen. His Alice Cooper signed Fender, which he had carried all the way to the summit was still in his pack.
The doctors at Base Camp were waiting to examine Todd. Fortunately the frostbite on his right toes is not bad. Dr. Kirsty Watson checked cold damage on Todd’s cheeks as well. This will heal quickly.
Steve came down from Camp II on the 19th. He looked great. Proud of his accomplishment and happy to be down.
Steve’s first beer.
Steve with the Sherpa team at Base Camp