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Leaving for the Summit

May 22, 2007 By paul.adler 39 Comments

Burning incense and Juniper at the Puja Altar at basecamp. It is said to bring good luck and safe passage for climbers on the mountain. Photo Fiona Adler
Burning incense and Juniper at the Puja Altar at basecamp. It is said to bring good luck and safe passage for climbers on the mountain. Photo Fiona Adler

Hi all, Great news… we just heard from Paul’s Sherpa, Lakpa, and he said that the winds have dropped considerably and that Paul and Attila are leaving for the summit now!
I spoke directly to Paul a little earlier and although communication was a bit fuzzy, we ran through a quick checklist of things to have in his pack.

Keep your fingers crossed for them!
Fiona

Update 1
Paul interviewed on Channel Nine

Filed Under: Everest 2007

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gavin says

    May 22, 2007 at 12:05 pm

    well that’s great news fiona…i have been waiting for an update!

    i will follow the climb throughout the day and await progress reports.

    i’ll keep my fingers crossed for them,
    gavin

    Reply
  2. Cas says

    May 22, 2007 at 12:14 pm

    Go Boys 🙂

    Reply
  3. paula stout says

    May 22, 2007 at 12:25 pm

    Thanks, Fiona….
    Looking forward to hearing it was a classic day: no wind and mild enough to unzip the down suit! thanks! p.

    Reply
  4. Judy says

    May 22, 2007 at 12:38 pm

    Sending lots of positive energies from Newfoundland for a safe summit and return.
    Judy

    Reply
  5. Anonymous says

    May 22, 2007 at 12:39 pm

    Paul & Fiona,
    Good luck, good trekking, & wishing you strength. Glad the weather improved and hope it holds for Pat. He is 1 day behind Paul, currently at C3 and heading to C4 on Wed am. Spoke with him today and he sounds strong. You guys/gals are amazing. Stay strong!
    Carol (Pat Hickey’s wife)

    Reply
  6. sarah says

    May 22, 2007 at 12:45 pm

    Jill, Dallas, TX

    The candle is burning bright!

    Reply
  7. Alan Arnette says

    May 22, 2007 at 12:50 pm

    Go Paul and Lakpa. Alan

    Reply
  8. Anonymous says

    May 22, 2007 at 12:55 pm

    Wishing you the best of luck!
    ..will be eagerly awaiting positive reports….! 🙂

    Reply
  9. satchmo says

    May 22, 2007 at 1:03 pm

    It’s there waiting for you Paul best of Luck
    Max & Judy at sea level

    Reply
  10. Andrea says

    May 22, 2007 at 1:05 pm

    Best of luck!!!

    Reply
  11. Mira says

    May 22, 2007 at 1:06 pm

    Thanks Fiona, the guys won’t read this just probably after their success but wishing Paul, Attila, you and Reni the best! Keep up with your good spirit! A part of a song has just came into my mind, hope Paul and Attila can fly up till the summit!

    “In a moment everything can change, Feel the wind on your shoulder … Can you hear it calling? Can you feel it in your soul? Can you trust this longing and take control? … Fly …. You can shine. Forget about the reasons why you can’t in life and start to try ‘cus it’s your time, time to fly /H. Duff/

    All the well-wishes coming to you from Hungary
    Mira

    Reply
  12. Tichick says

    May 22, 2007 at 1:17 pm

    Hi Paul and Fiona,Thanks for the update. I’m at work and cannot listen to audio soappreciate the news. I’ll keep checking during the day and send many good thoughts and prayers for safety and light winds. Clmb with care. Jean

    Reply
  13. pennyl says

    May 22, 2007 at 1:27 pm

    Paul:

    We’re cheering you on at QECVI! I made an announcement over the PA and everyone has their fingers crossed for you. We are anxiously awaiting the news of your summit. Climb safely and hoist that flag high!!!

    Liane and the students of QECVI

    Reply
  14. annep says

    May 22, 2007 at 1:29 pm

    Wishing and praying for calm weather, carefull footsteps, guidance and strength and having the time of your lives. And Fiona thank you for the posts.
    Anne, Venice Florida

    Reply
  15. sdansker says

    May 22, 2007 at 2:00 pm

    Dear Paul & Fi,

    Ah, even Gods have their price…..

    Paul WILL summit & we’ve got my West End Lager iced & ready to go. In a few hours, we all be dancing in the cul-du-sac. Go-go-go Paul.

    Steve & Paula D.

    Reply
  16. moraima says

    May 22, 2007 at 2:21 pm

    Go Paul go….

    i was wondering if Fiona or somebody can answer, more or less how many hours is it to get to the top… (i mean i know it depends on many things and it varies) but approximately, what time are you expecting Paul to summit?

    Moraima

    Reply
  17. Dena Lasater says

    May 22, 2007 at 2:27 pm

    Fiona, This is great news–will be praying for Paul and Team and for you as you monitor their progress. You have remained so strong–and know that you must feel like you are going to the summit again–as you said, you went through the check list. I know that Paul will be feeling your presence every step of his summit night climb.
    Dena

    Reply
  18. wmpopper says

    May 22, 2007 at 2:46 pm

    Have a wonderful Summit Experience…and Return
    wp

    Reply
  19. StellarKart says

    May 22, 2007 at 2:46 pm

    Go Paul Go! So glad the winds died down. Go for the summit, you can do it, Paul!

    All prayers for safety and success,
    Mark R

    Reply
  20. Anonymous says

    May 22, 2007 at 2:53 pm

    I don’t know you two but man, if I haven’t felt so proud all day! I remember watching you both closely (daily!) last season; I kept talking to my husband about ‘the awesome couple from Australia who were climbing Everest together.’ I was so bummed that Paul wasn’t able to continue last year, but I feel it’s all going to happen for him this year :). Even if it does not, I can’t describe how GREAT I think it is that you tried again, Paul, and with Fiona by your side at base-camp to cheer you on. Everything about this journey sums up the importance of perseverance in one’s life. The journey is everything; the destination is just one reward – of many. Thinking of you in the coming hours — it’s 2:00 pm WI/USA time! Hope to hear a positive report later tonight my time!

    Jo, WI, USA

    Reply
  21. Jacqui H says

    May 22, 2007 at 2:58 pm

    Paul I’m so excited and nervous for you. And so glad the winds have died to give you a chance. Can’t wait to hear of your summitting and safe descent. This is it. With love and thoughts to Paul and Fiona and Attila and Lakpa. Love Jacqueline (in Melb where it’s 4.45am and I had to check for an update!) x

    Reply
  22. Mira says

    May 22, 2007 at 3:29 pm

    I am not an expert however i would say it can be 6-12 hours …it is really depend on the weather and the guys:) I heard a few of them summitted in 6 hours 20 minutes just last night but I have also heard about others for whom took 10 hours to get to the top of the world from South Col.
    Mira

    Reply
  23. sdansker says

    May 22, 2007 at 3:43 pm

    For those that are interested in the timing of this last part of the climb: If Paul left about 2145 local time, and (let’s say) it takes him approximately 8 hours, we are looking at about 0600 local for him to be at the summit. Then after a few minutes at the top, he would start back down. Give him about 5-6 hours to make it back to C4 on the South Col, and he’ll roll in sometime between 1100 and noon. I hope this helps. I would hope that Paul will do an audiolog at the summit, so we should hear from him in about 4 and a half hours (It’s 0130 right now there.) If all’s well we may hear from before then.

    Steve D.

    Reply
  24. MC says

    May 22, 2007 at 3:56 pm

    This is it; to the summit and back! Climb strong…(you know the rest)! It’s summit time!

    MC

    Reply
  25. Anonymous says

    May 22, 2007 at 4:33 pm

    I think they usually leave around 10pm-midnight with the aim of arriving around dawn (6am-ish) – so I guess it generally takes 6-8 hours in normal conditions… whatever that is!

    Reply
  26. paula stout says

    May 22, 2007 at 4:52 pm

    Hi…
    I can probably help out those who are asking about the climb times. Here’s the general rule of thumb base camp managers live by:

    Camp 4 (South Col) to Balcony should take 4 – 6 hours in decent conditions. Cimbers ususally take a break—in the pitch black surrounded by headlamps—on the Balcony. This is also a good place to switch Poisk O2 tank.

    Balcony to South Summit should take 3 – 5 hours.

    South Summit (across Hillary Step) should take 2- 3 hours.

    These are numbers for “typical” summit nights which means the ropes are in and there isn’t a lot of traffic on the route. If a typical climber leaves camp at 9:30-ish, and conditions are constant, the climber would see the summit around 8am-ish Nepali time, which gives them plenty of time to come down in the daylight. Hope that helps all of you. p.

    PS: Descent times are as follows:
    Summit to South Summit 1 – 2 hours
    South Summit to Balcony 1 – 2 hours
    Balcony to Camp 4 (South Col) 2 – 4 hours
    Camp 4 to Camp 2 (3 – 6 hours depending on traffic and condition of climber)

    Reply
  27. jordan.griffiths says

    May 22, 2007 at 5:29 pm

    Fi, Nick,
    I woke up this morning and checked for an update – have you had any more news of Paul’s progress this morning? I assume that they must be getting pretty close by now

    Jordan

    Reply
  28. moneal says

    May 22, 2007 at 5:37 pm

    I know you won’t read this until you get back, but I’m sending it to you now via ESP. Be strong, be brave, climb hard, and most importantly come back.

    Reply
  29. Ann says

    May 22, 2007 at 6:10 pm

    Hi Fiona,
    We will be thinking of Paul and hoping the weather gets even better for the routes up and down!
    Keep us posted!
    Best of luck,
    Ann and Graham

    Reply
  30. Jacci J says

    May 22, 2007 at 6:30 pm

    So glad the winds have held off for you…won’t be long now Jac J

    Reply
  31. Cam1 says

    May 22, 2007 at 6:42 pm

    Great news – good luck. We will be heading up to Mt Fuji today. Keep strong Fiona.

    Fiona, please pass on our congratulations when you speak with Paul on top.

    Cam and family.

    Reply
  32. Kyna says

    May 22, 2007 at 7:03 pm

    Your Ngahinapouri cheer squad is in full voice – hope you can hear us from there! Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Love, Kyna, Mal, Jemimah, Matilda and ‘WOOF’ Tank-girl.

    Reply
  33. Wade says

    May 22, 2007 at 7:12 pm

    Fiona,

    Fingers are crossed all 10 of them!

    Wade

    Reply
  34. Anonymous says

    May 22, 2007 at 7:31 pm

    Hi Paul
    Good luck!!! And be safe 🙂
    xx Sammie

    Reply
  35. fitzy says

    May 22, 2007 at 7:38 pm

    Hi Paul and Fiona,

    There is no way i could work wothout knowing your progress. After a little re-arranging of schedules this morning I will be glued to my computer at home and will bake some sour dough for celebrating tonight.

    With you all the way.

    Regards

    Brian

    Reply
  36. Gavin says

    May 22, 2007 at 7:49 pm

    you must be just a few hours from the summit paul…. i am refreshing the website constantly just waiting for some news!

    hope its going well,
    gavin

    Reply
  37. heather says

    May 22, 2007 at 7:54 pm

    Thinking of you from foggy Daylesford. Safe up & back!

    Cr.Heather Mutimer & family

    Reply
  38. Dena Lasater says

    May 22, 2007 at 8:57 pm

    Paul, Just wanted you to know that I am sitting down for my birthday dinner with my son and all thoughts and conversation will be of your summit, which I imagine will be in the next hour. Hope to be toasting to you on the top of the world very, very soon!
    Dena

    Reply
  39. Anonymous says

    May 22, 2007 at 9:37 pm

    Fiona
    You must be on the edge of your seat. ive always had a soft spot for Everest and followed your and pauls trek last year….
    My partner is sick of me talking about everest and watching doco’s on it…….but even he his sending me messages from work to see if paul has made it.
    send our congratulations, what an effort..again!

    goosebumps.

    Reply

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In 2007, Paul returned to climb Mt Everest after missing out on reaching the summit by 100 metres the previous year. In 2006, Paul and Fiona both climbed together and although Fiona successfully summited, problems with Paul's oxygen system forced him to turn around. On 23 May 2007, exactly a year to the day later, he reached the summit. This is the daily blog from this climb.
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