It didn't work

At one point I tried Edmond's electric razor.  It didn't work. I don't really recognize myself in this photo, but it is me ugh!

My home for 8 days at 21,300.

There is no fast way to acclimate. We tried to keep climbing too soon and ran out of gas fast - which is a polite way of saying we ran out of everything that our bodies used to have. The ability to breath, muscles that work when you command them and an attitude of can do. We returned to rest and acclimate for another couples of days before continuing.

Room with a view

Just another beautiful view, every direction, every day it was just awesome.

North col camp

to the extent that other camps didn't look all warm and cozy The North Col camp at just above 7,000 meters (23,000+ft) wins the "seriously, I am sleeping here?" Award. Looks like a place where Santa Clause would be working away making toys.  I will say the view from up there was dramatic.

Russian base camp

at base camp the Russian's won camp of the year contest. They travel in style - seriously.  Pool table, ping pong which was actually really fun to play on, I am sure it was the worlds highest at 17,000 ft. Big screen TV, disco sound system, a generator, heater. 7 Summits Club I don't know how much they charged but that included a party every night.

Going up.... And up.... And up

It probably looks easy and warm, but crawling over lose shale for hour after hour after hour in an ever upward direction isn't really that easy.  Edmond just makes it look that way!

Interim base camp

Interim base camp (IBC) about 1/2 way up. 6 or 7 miles up.
It looked much more inviting when you were exhausted.

The after shot - just before leaving!

It figures that the most beautiful day is the morning we left!  But we were ready or at least I was. 

LHASA!  After two days of crossing Tibet from Everest Base Camp, we have finally reached the sacred city.   With any luck the winds will be calm tomorrow and we will be on our way back to Kathmandu.  (Combination of high altitude, swirling winds, and surrounding mountains sometimes make flight operations from airport here tricky.  A prayer please for calm weather.).  If our noon flight gets out, then one day in Kathmandu and we are HOMEWARD BOUND! To loved ones, friends, and familiar surroundings.   Trip summary so far: unbelievable sights and heights, but amazingly demanding

Climbing Team Reaches North Col on Everest

On Monday, May 9th, the climbing team reached North Col and spent the night! Summit Climb posted on their website: "Back at ABC after sleeping at the North Col. We had a very snowy ascent but woke this morning to clear Himalayan views." John sent a sat phone text at 2:13 am Wednesday, May 11th (Wednesday evening on the Tibet side of Everest): "...heading down tomorrow." Short text, but great to know they're doing well! Photo courtesy of Chad Peele's FB page & Summit Climb

Ascending the North Col of Everest

On Saturday, May 7th the group attempted to climb the North Col on Mount Everest. The North Col (23,030 feet above sea level) is a narrow ridge of glacier ice that was first climbed in 1921 by Edward Wheeler when exploring ways to ascend to the summit of Mount Everest. Climbers have to go up the ridge, formed by the East Rongbuk Glacier, to get from Advanced Base Camp to Camp 2 (24,750 feet above sea level) on their way to the summit of Everest. The climbers are clipped into fixed lines and the steepest sections have 60-80% inclines! Judging from the text received from John's satellite phone late Saturday night (Sunday morning on Mount Everest) the group didn't quite make it all the way... Sunday is a rest day back at Advanced Base Camp before they try again.

"All Good"

Hi all, this is John's assistant Bill... this morning John texted from his satellite phone that they're at ABC Camp (Advanced Base Camp) 21,000 feet up on the north/Tibet side of Mount Everest and "...all good". Hopefully we'll get an update and more photos soon! 

Moving On Up!

The weather broke sooner than forecast and it is beautiful today, so we've made the decision to hike 7 miles and up 1,800 feet in elevation to Interim Base Camp at Everest...