Jamie Clarke’s Expedition Hanesbrands Everest Dispatch
April 13, 2010 – Sherpas Make a Move up to Camp II
Preparations for the climb went well after we finished the Pooja. The skies were clear, which was good because we had a seemingly endless amount of equipment, food and supplies to move up the mountain. This includes Jamie's special South Col tent, which will be critical for the comfort and well being of Jamie, Scott and the Sherpas at high camp, at 26,000 feet above sea level. We spent all day on the 11th and 12th setting up our home here at base camp.
The climbing Sherpas said that they wanted to carry the first supplies up today, the 13th, and they decided to start off in the darkness at 4:00 AM with their goal being to carry all the way to Camp II.
Stephen Regenold (right) says goodbye to
Jamie before heading home today.
We were surprised by a quick snow storm that came in during the night. There were stars in the sky when we went to sleep at 9:00 pm, and stars in a clear sky above us when I woke at 3:30 am to see the sherpas off, but somehow it had snowed during the time in between! It was beautiful as the sun rose onto a base camp covered in fresh snow.
By 10:00am, the Sherpa team had called Ang Temba and I to report that they were at Camp II and that they had selected a good site for Expedition Hanesbrands for the season. Camp II at 21,400 feet will be an important camp for Jamie and Scott as they push higher and higher on Everest this season.
Today is the day that we must say good bye to "Gear Junkie" Stephen Regenold. Stephen is off down the trail with BAI guide Min and a porter for the return trek down valley in the Khumbu and on to Kathmandu and home. We will miss him!
Jamie and Scott also made their first venture into the Khumbu Icefall today. Jamie with his light pack is ready in the new snowfall to take the first steps from Base Camp into the technical terrain above.
Jamie shows us the South Col tent that he'll be using on the mountain.
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The beginning stages of base camp, our home for the next seven weeks.
Ang Temba unpacking a gigantic pile of luggage.
The stuff just keeps on coming, it seems endless!
The view of base camp as the sun sets on the night of the 12th.
Sherpas always start their climbs with a few moments spent at the chorten. A sacred juniper fire is lit and will burn while they are away.
The Sherpas set out into the snowy night.
The sun rises on a beautiful snowy base camp.
Jamie getting ready to tackle the Khumbu Icefall today.