Date: 10.35am, 23rd May 2007
Hi everyone,
After a fairly anxious wait, I’ve finally been able to speak with Paul. He and Attila are now safely back at Camp 4 (South Col). They summitted together at 6:50am this morning in fairly windy conditions. He said he tried to radio from the summit but we could not receive him here at basecamp. Ptemba, our basecamp manager, spoke with Pemba, one of the Sherpas climbing with them, caught the muffled declaration that they were all on the summit. After that, we hadn’t been able to make contact until just now.
Even still, contact was brief and I don’t yet know much about their summit climb. Paul sounded very tired and said that “gee, its a long climb up there!”.
I also learned that Paul, and to a lesser extent, his Sherpa Lhakpa, both have some snowblindness. Paul said that because the wind was blowing fiercly, he decided to leave his goggles on after the sun rose (rather than switch to his sunglasses). His vision is now quite cloudy and he’s understandably concerned about this (as I am too).
His initial thoughts were that because of this he will stay at Camp 4 tonight, and plan to come down to Camp 2 tomorrow. However, having spoken to Ptemba here (who has more experience than us with snowblindness), the condition can peak after 24 hours, so it might be better if he can come down today – perhaps later in the afternoon when it’s not quite as bright. If he needs help getting down, there are a few Sherpas at Camp 4 now that should be able to help. The other advise was to make a cold-pack from snow (fortunately in plentiful supply) and place this on his eyes.
Anyway, he’s having a good rest now and trying to get some fluids into him. (I remember thinking I could drink 100 bottles of lemonade after my climb last year so I imagine Paul’s pretty thirsty.)
Attila is with him now and is fine. After taking a break, he is planning to come down to Camp 2 today with Mingma.
Willl let you know as soon as I know more,
Fiona
hope everything is OK. Jac
Thanks for the update Fiona. Hopefully the eyes will be OK and the descent will be as safe as possible. Looking forward to hearing more.
Phil M
I had snowblindness once in Lake Tahoe on a ski trip. I had worn my goggles skiing for 4 days straight because of severe wind and snow storms. On day 5, the sun came out and it was very warm (Easter time). I only had my goggles on the mountain and instead of wearing them or buying sunglasses (I was young) I wore nothing to protect my eyes. That night I was totally blind, in severe pain and scared to death. I went to the emergency room in Tahoe and was just given some ointment. I was told that often, snowblindness is just temporary and in my case it was. My eyes went back to 20/20 vision shortly afterward (I don’t have 20/20 now)! Paul is in my thoughts, I hope that he will be alright. Thank you for keeping us informed.
Sincerely,
MC
MUCH THANKS FOR UPDATES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gavan, Davis, Arlie and I are thinking of you both. Looking forward to hearing that you are safely together again at BC soon. Liz.
Hi Fi, thanks for the update, hope Paul gets better very soon. Crossing fingers it is just temporary and goes away asap. Sending all my positive energy for all of you! Thanks for the updates about Attila’s position, hope he can send dispatch very soon. A pretty big demand right here about interviewing him:) Mira
I hope Paul is ok, and by the updates others have stated, suggests he will be and back safely soon. Once again Congratulations.
Matt
Congratulations Paul hope all is ok with your eyes thank you so much for the updates it has been great being able to follow your progress. What a fantastic achievement. I wish you all the very best
Gisele
Hi Paul,
Woke this morning (UK) to hear the good news and can’t wait to hear the udpate later. What an achievement – you remain an inspiration. Safe journey down and speedy recovery with the eyes.
Thinking of you all, RichT
glad to hear Paul did the summit – hope all will be well on the descent with the temporary blindness. thanks for the update. Thinking of you both and sending prayers
bonnie
fiona. thanks for the update.ptemba has the right idea, and the cold compresses will help relieve the pain ,as will nurofen [ibuprofen] if he has some on him: try not to worry he is in good hands.’regards. [ken.nz]
Well done Paul, congratulations for reaching the summit in what sounds like difficult conditions. Take it easy on the descent from camp 4. I hope your eyes recover soon. Thanks for the update Fiona, my thoughts are with you too waiting anxiously in BC.
Rose
ahhh he made it! Good on ya Paul! His dream come true. I’m glad I got to be a little part of the journey. I hope everything goes well on his way down as well. and as for Fiona — hopefully you’re bikini didnt get too big from those apple pies. hoipe to talk with you soon. bye!
Hi Paul
Well done …not long to go now till you are back at BC…I’m sure the eye thing is just temporary situation.
Fiona
Well done for keeping us informed and keeping your cool through what must have been the most difficult night of your life.Its time to hit the bakery soon
Nick
Thanks for all the updates and your hard work
Cas
Hi there…
Thanks so much for keeping us updated. I know the night must have been so long and nerve-racking for you with the lack of communications. I feel for both Paul and Lhakpa. It’s so very scary to experience snowblindness…but, as others have said, they are taking the right steps. For Lhakpa, since he is already partially blind in his right eye, please reassure him that this is temporary…and, let him know that when he visits the US we’ll make sure to have one of the eye specialists at Stanford check him out just to make sure all is well. Looking forward to all of them being at base camp. my best. paula.
He’ll be down safely soon. After all, Paul practically specialises in difficult descents! (Thinking last year on Everest with minimal oxygen, plus the time in Khazakstan with frostbite…) He’s a skilled, cautious, well-prepared climber and he’ll be back in BC with you soon.
OK, pep talk over! :> Give him a big bear hug from us when he makes BC – if he can stand up long enough to handle it. *grin* Love to you both, Kyna.
Paul, Well done on getting there. Thoughts with you on the way down. Its been good following a ex leonardian get up a big hill. Or as my wife says, actually doing something.
Congrats.
Tony
Hi Fi, and Paul.
Congrats with the summit and hope you are soon reunited in BC. As I remember from last year, there where also a few climbers who where snow blind and had to go down further to the NC and the day after to ABC. Also the blindness recovered pretty soon after only having some pain for a few days and the feeling of lots of sand in their eyes. But Paul will recover once he is staying in your hands down in BC :-).
All the best and for the future nice climbs together.
Milan
Congratulations Paul, you really deserved to achieve your goal. Fi, I was thinking of you too.
A wonderful effort!
Sue Beckwith
well done – get back down safe and sound and take some time to feel proud and enjoy your moment!
Congratulations Paul! A great achievement. Get down safe and I hope everything is ok with your eyes. Amy Jurries
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun
Dear Fiona, congratulations to Paul and to you and a special greeting from Markus from Luzern in Switzerland. He is my husband and I can exactly imagine how you felt last night and this morning waiting on the radio and waiting and waiting…It’s now 1 year and a few days when I was in the same situation – I was sitting on my computer the whole night and waiting for hours and hours till Markus made it to the top and, the most important, the way back to camp 4. I hope so deeply Paul eyes won’t hurt to much and he can come down safly after a good rest. Kindest regards and congratulation again to both of you from Luzern. Markus and Kathy
Hi Paul just read and great success.
Ihope you get down safe.
Kizza
Paul, well done! You are a star. Exstatic to hear you made it. All your hard work, training and determination has paid off. Thanks Fi for all your efforts and updates, it’s almost like being there. Paul, take care getting down and look after yourself.
Stay safe and see you both soon. Luv Neats & Sam xo
Hi Paul
I have followed your journey all theway to the summit and with gods speed all the way back to base camp intact.I hope this day lives in your memory as vivid and clear as it is today. I was at base camp last year as a visitor and still have the thin air in my lungs,it’s unforgetable.Well done to my name sake and your climbing partner Attila.You guys are legends.
Best Wishes
ATTILA [Melbourne]
Congrats Paul, what a mighty effort, you and Fiona are a great team. At last Brighton can get back to the coffee shops and away from the computers!! Looking forward to a coffee in one of those cafes with John and Mare on your return! Love Jen and Geoff D
Congratulations
I first heard of your quest on ABC radio 774 a few days ago, and have been keeping track since then. I am inpired by your determination and sheer strength of mind to go back again. I hope you have a safe descent, and the snow blindness eases without further problems. Fantastic
Congratulations Paul from all of us here in Tokyo.
Cam Allen and family.
Well you got up, a big well done. Enjoy it.
Craig.
Paul – Congrats on the summit! Now, just hang in there with those darn eyes! From reading other posts, it sounds like a temporary thing, so just hang tight and do what everyone is telling you to do and then get down safely when you can. We are all thinking of you and wishing you a safe climb back down to BC.
Fiona – Thanks for keeping us all updated. I’ve never hit refresh so many times in one night!! I can only imagine how stressful a night it was for you. Just one more day of patience . . . hang in there!
Liane and the QE students
Congrats Paul have followed your climb with Kieran
It is 5 years ago today that the Dalai Lama came to Geelong …
he will be back here in 19 days
Kieran stacked his bike today so was a bit sore and sorry for himself until he heard that you and Attila and the sherpas made it
what an unbelievable feeling it must be
my whole family are so proud
Take it easy on the way down no rush now
don’t rush home it’s freezing here oh well maybe not after what you have been through
prayers for your eyes and safe return
Suse Carl Justyce Connar and Kieran Dixon
It’s fantastic news Paul and a great effort. Here’s hoping for a full & quick recovery and safe trip back to base.
Lots of love
Marg & Neil
Best wishes Paul and Sherpa,
A well deserved triumph Paul. Can’t imagine the feeling that you have.
We just pray for your safe arrival at base camp and your reunion with Fiona and Mom.
God Bless !
Hugs,
Larry and Marianne B