Local time: 26 April, 19:45
Location: Camp 2
Altitude: 6500m
Weather: Fine in the morning, light snow in the afternoon. -8C overnight.
Hi it’s Paul coming to you from camp 2. Today we woke to the news that an avalanche had killed a Sherpa on the Lhotse face. Unfortunately there was nothing that could be done. This was terrible news and brings home the dangers of climbing Everest, particularly those faced by the Sherpas who make many more trips than we do through the treacherous terrain. Our thoughts go out to the man’s family.
We were all very affected by the events this morning, so we didn’t do much else today. I went for a short walk on the glacier, but that’s about it.
Your Messages
Thanks for all your messages. I do like receiving them. I prefer if the messages are posted on the site, as I can’t reply to emails.
Hi Mira, Attilla and I were really feeling the heat, so we put the pedal down as we were eager to get into the shade of a tent. Dirk is another climber on the Asian Trekking team. I am sorry that I don’t write more about the other team members, but I need to respect their privacy and not everyone likes to have their details or that of their climbing progress on the internet.
Hi Marg, You’ll be in KTM now as I write this and hopefully you’ll discover the 2 internet cafes near the hotel. I’m looking forward to the Anzac biscuits.
Hi Marc, Always like to hear ASX reports!
Hi Liane, I knew you were going to ask me how realistic I found the books and I was dreading the question! They are pretty close. There are a lot of events that I recognized from significant incidents in recent Everest climbing history (if you have read Into thin Air you would certainly recognize some). Maybe your students might like to suggest some of the things that they think are not realistic and some of the more crazy things that are? But on the whole it’s pretty close and certainly they are a great read, even for someone as closely connected as me. The flag is in BC, but will hopefully come up higher soon…
Hi MC, I am feeling fantastic this year. I think it’s the experience that I have gained from last year, improved physical training and the logistics. Not a single person on our team is sick and this is making a huge difference. I was a bit down mentally last week thinking of the enormity of the climbing that lies ahead, but now that I have been up to C2 and the South Col looks so close from here, it’s been a big boost. It will be great when Fiona arrives, although I wish I could have convinced her to come up to C2 on a Lhotse permit, but she said she never wants to go through the icefall again. I don’t blame her and this year is more dangerous than last.
Hi Dad and Mary. Great to hear from you. Got an email from someone who thinks you are coming up here again. Once was enough!
Hi Sue, Happy to answer your questions.
Hi Tim, Passed on your message to Costco Steve and guess what – he said that he had the same meal right before he left!
Hi Liz, You’ll be in KTM now – hope the gear shop looks after you. You need to bargain hard though, or else you’ll get ripped off. The Sherpas can generally make enough from one Everest climb to not need to work for the rest of the year. Of course it depends on the lifestyle that the wish to lead.
Hi Mark, I probably won’t see your friend, as we are all being really strict about minimizing contact with other groups for fear of sickness. I hope you’ll understand.
Hi Leah. You can’t be too tough on weight. Fiona is bringing in some Baileys in a Sigg bottle!
Hi Lou, I am sure Fiona will look after your camera. I am using 2 cameras, the Canon S80 and an Ixus 500. Most of the shots on the site are with the S80.
Regards,
Paul.
Paul – which expedition please? Please let me know and the name if possible. I have several sherpa friends up there right now and am very concerned.
Joseph Acero
Hi Paul,
Very sorry to hear about the Sherpa. Our thoughts are with his family and friends and everyone on the mountain.
Love, Dame
Hi Paul,
Graham and I were sad to read about the accident on the Lhotse Face. I can’t imagine how that would make you all feel, and how his family is feeling. I hope that many prayers are going out to him and to all of you at BC in the shadow of Everest.
On another note, glad to read nobody has felt sick and also that you got to meet TA!
Take Care,
Ann and Graham
Paul:
So sorry to hear about the loss of the Sherpa today. I will break the news to my class tomorrow. They will be very sad to hear the news.
As for the Korman books . . . Well, if you can ignore the fact that 13 and 14 year olds can’t climb Everest from the Nepalese side, I guess the book is realistic!! LOL!! (I think teenagers are allowed to ascend from Tibet. A 16 year-old Chris something-or-other from Australia or NZ tried last year but got sick. The youngest climber to date is still a 15 year old Sherpa girl.) I will ask the students as we keep reading which parts of the book they feel are unrealistic. I was really more interested in seeing if Korman got the acclimatization process, the route and the stages of climbing correct. The high action drama of surviving a night in a storm lost in the death zone with no oxygen and a sprained ankle is a bit tough to swallow!! Likewise lowering a full-grown man to safety down the Lhotse face, but hey, it makes for a great read!
Talk to you soon,
Liane
…and a reminder that climbing Everest is a VERY serious endevour… Stay focused and know that we’re holding good thoughts for the safety of everyone.
Scott
Sorry to hear about the Sherpa:( My thoughts are with his family and friends and also with everyone on the mountain. Good to know all of you are in good condition.
Btw truly understand you are keeping your climbing partners’ privacy, in fact this is good and I guess they appreciate it. I was just wondering because Attila and also Meagan mentioned him – but anyway already found out who is him as he is writing his posts on his expedition site as well. And moreover this is your expedition site and we all are reading it to get news about you:) Hope your hands are ok!?
Mira
Hi Paul
It doesn’t matter that I did not know this man who died today on the Lhotse face; I am so deeply saddened. The sherpas are such an integral part of Everest and the way to the summit for so many climbers. They risk their lives each spring and fall on this mountain. My heart goes out to this man and his family.
Paul, I am happy to hear that your expedition has been so good this year. Experience can make a world of difference. And I certainly don’t blame Fiona for not wanting to make another trip through the Icefall. The only reason I could imagine going through the Icefall would be to acclimatize to get to the top or being a sherpa and getting paid to feed my family.
Thanks for the photo of the Psolar mask. I’d say it’s a must have on Everest or any high altitude mountain!
Regards,
MC
“It is the courageous men who shall be remembered; not for their fame but for their acts of bravery.” mc
I’m very saddened by the tragic news from the Lhotse face today. The Sherpas are special people, and I’m sure this man leaves behind a family supported by his Everest work. We are all praying for them today and in the hard days to come for them. To all of you there, our prayers for continued safety and health.
No problem Paul about my friend Terry. I just listened to an audio update from Dan Mazur from SummitClimb. All of their team were on the Lhotse face taking a trip up to Camp 3 today when the accident occurred. They returned to Camp 2 somber from what they saw. Perhaps after all of you have summitted, you can seek out Terry and celebrate. It’s nice to know two friends on the mountain and following along with both closely.
Paul, we just watched a new documentary on Discovery called “Everest ER”, which was filmed last spring season and is about the hospital at Base Camp. Simply fascinating. The scenes were spectacular — we were also looking for glimpses of you and Fi in the background! Alas, no luck there. I’m assuming they’re all set up again this year at EBC — have you stopped by there at all? Great work they do there for the Base Camp community.
cheers,
Mark
I am very concerned about the tragic accident of the Sherpa!
We all know which great peobles this Sherpas are and what it means to lose one of them….
The Sherpa and his family are in my prayers, and naturally all climbers on Everest. You have to remain strong now.
Rudi said to me that he isn´t on the way with you any more. But you will briefly report where he is. I would like to thank you already now for it!! THANKS THANKS THANKS!! I think now begins the hardest time for Rudi and everyone of you, but in addition, for us at home…
Wish you the best!!
Corinna
The excitement and interest we gain from reading your web entries are certainly tempered by the sadness we experience when we read of things such as the death of the Sherpa… Our thoughts are with you.