Local time: 20 May, 19:50
Location: Camp 2
Altitude: 6500m
Weather: Warm, little snow
Hi it’s Paul at camp 2. Today was an exciting day, because two of our team members summited.
We switched on our radio at 5am to hear that Dirk and Steve had just reached the summit of Mt. Everest. They took only 8 hours from the South Col, which is a great time. It was Dirk’s third attempt, so understandably he was extremely happy. They were back at South Col around 10am and after a rest headed down to C2, where we had a big welcome waiting for them.
Rudi and Ravi also tried last night. Rudi was climbing without oxygen and he turned around below the Balcony. Ravi felt cold, and made a wise decision not to leave the South Col. All are back safely at C2.
Meagan headed up to C4 today, taking only 4 hours to go from C3 to C4, arriving at 9:30 am. She is really strong. Assuming the weather holds, she will leave around 10:30 tonight for the summit.
Attila and I spent today checking gear. I learnt today that Asian Trekking have provided me with a brand new regulator. I am really grateful. So I will have two masks and two regulators with me this time.
We are really excited to be going up – I can’t describe how positive the atmosphere is here at C2 – everyone is really happy.
The weather report was great for 22/23, so we are looking great on that front.
Your Messages
Hi Steve B, Thanks a lot for letting people know about the climb and our website.
Hi Rose, It is a lot of effort going from C1 to C2, but I think if you have done the training and your health is good, then it’s not too hard, and you recover quickly.
Hi Moraima, Hope you like the shot I look last night – before I saw your message. I must have been reading your mind!
Hi MC, The weather forecast has improved for Meagan, and looking out the tent it looks great. Perhaps Nick might want to post a small summary of the weather details we are seeing, so you can see what we are making our decisions on.
Hi Lou, We are off tomorrow morning.
Hi JB, Are you sure that’s the date that Hillary and Tenzing summited? I might be getting affected by the altitude, but I thought it was May 31, 1953.
Hi Chris and Bridge, Looking forward to reading the book when I get back.
Hopefully I’ll be coming to you from C3 tomorrow.
Paul.
Hello Paul, I am glad to hear things are going so well and that the group is feeling so positive. Keep it up and best of luck as you push on to C3. Be safe.
Ed
Hi Steve,
We waited eagerly for the news and finally heard that you and Dirk summited!! Many Congratulations from all of us– We are so thankful. Can’t wait to hear more details. Hope you can rest up a bit and be safe on your further descent.
Love, Alice
Paul and Attila
First off, congrats to Dirk and Steve! Dirk must be elated being this was his third attempt. Great news! Wishing Meagan good luck and hopefully the winds don’t pick up too much. It sounds like Asian Trekking is working out great; so glad about that. Keep up your positive attitudes as that will certainly help to get you to the top! I would like to see the small summary of the weather details that you are viewing; would be interesting.
The best to you on this summit push!
MC
Hi Paul,
Just a few more days now…don’t lose your focus or concentration. I know you won’t.
Have a brilliant climb to the summit. I will be thinking of you here at sea level in Seattle!
Take good care,
Gavin
Magnificient picture Paul about the Lhotse face. Cannot stop watching, I am captured … You are on your way to Summit with Attila when you will see this msg, what a remarkable achievement. I’m praying for your success and safe return. I’m so proud of you both…
Also congratulations for all your teammates, who is summitted and also for those who made a wise desicion and not pushing his limits further than could be.
Did you know that standing on the top of the Mt. Everest Apa Sherpa and Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa jointly released a travelogue book “Sagarmatha ko Aadhar Sibir bata”? This event has made both the record holder climbers as the first book releaser on the top of the Everest relating to travelogue literature, and the above mentioned book has become the first of its kind released on the top of the world.
Mira
Way to go Steve and Dirk! Steve, your Oregon family and friends send their very best wishes and warm congratulations. We thank God for your strength and speed on summit day. We’re eagerly awaiting the safe return of your whole team. Enjoy your trek home. We’re looking forward to some light-pack, low-tech alpine ascents with you in your home range of the Cascades this upcoming summer. Love, Jay and the girls
Maeagan
We are all extremely happy for you. Cannot wait for your summit news !!
From
OJ & the rest of the Gallant family (Ottawa, Canada)
Hi Paul and team,
Congrats to those who have summited! Good luck to all those on the way to camp 3 and up!
Best Ann and Graham
Hi Paul
First of all… Herzlichen Glueckwunsch Dirk and congrats Steve. Rudi well done on climbing without O2 to the Balcony, Its a great achievement!!…will you try to summit again ? Ravi…will you go for it ?
Paul…seems our half hour experiment with aperature opening worked well….Lhotse face picture looks awsome :- )…..
Good luck with the weather
Cas
Hello Steve,
Hearty congratulations to you and Dirk for reaching the summit. I can only image how euphoric you must feel. Well done! I’m sending positive thoughts that the remainder of your team also climbs safely upward.
Soak up all beauty of the surroundings on the trek back through the wonderful countryside. My Best, Karen
Best of luck Paul! You can and will do this! SO glad to hear there are already successes on the summit. I”ll be checking regularly this week – hello to Fiona!
Jo, WI, USA
Hey Paul,
Moraima here from the flatlands of Florida, admiring the wonderful picture you took, it’s really amazing….. Thank you so much for posting it for us….
Good luck
Hello Steve Giesecke:
Congratulations from mother and dad! We Thank God, by His grace, for your summiting and safe return to Camp 2. Be careful the rest of the way, not to let up guard. We hope to hear more details from you personally. Cheryl is in E. Oregon with her dad. Please call us or e-mail when you have the opportunity. PTL! Love, D and M.
Hi Paul
Like many ex-Leonardians, I have been following your progress and have become an addicted ‘armchair everest climber’!! Best of luck and look forward to hearing of the whole team’s safe return to BC regardless of summiting or not. Makes Mt. Koszi look like a bit of a pimple hey!!?!
Cheers, Mich 🙂
Hi paul, the photo you posted of the lotse face is really beautiful. danny and I will be thinking of you over the next few days. climb safely. Look forward to seeing you when you get back. love meals
Hi Paul,
Awesome photo of the Lhotse face! I just checked on Google and Hillary summited at 11:30 am May 29, 1953.
Good luck over the next couple of days.
Brad.
Dear Paul,
We have been following your climb with real interest and excitement. We hope that your wishes (and ours!) come true and that you get up and down safely on Mt. Everest. Good luck. You rock!
Class 333 at Canterbury Primary School, Melbourne
ps. What is the temperature up there?
Hi Paul
Great photo – you wouldn’t want to be a restless sleeper! Will Rudi and Ravi get a second chance to summit? Good luck to Meagan tonight, well done to Dirk and Steve! Jac
Oops Paul , it is actually 29 May…The second expediton of 1956 (Swiss team ) was on top on 23/05….I still however like 23/05 and I reckon you guys might be the first ” Couple to summit on the same day on Everest (in different years) “…
I have no doubt you will be on top just before ths sun is about to rise on 23/05 and that sunrise will be one of the most prized memory you will have in this lifetime!!
Enjoy the climb.
regards JB
Hey paul,
Awesome photo! Was that taken with the s80? If so you’ll have to teach me to take photos like that!
Good luck for your next step! We are very excited and just hope that everything falls your way in the next few days. I can see that Wednesday may not be a very productive day at work!
Lou
Congratulations on your summitting Mount Everest! Rest assured you have been in our thoughts and prayers. We in Marysville, WA, rejoice in your safe accomplishment. I encourage you to rest up before and take esp. care through the Khumbu Icefall. Also be careful on your trek back. Euphoria can be dangerous. We look forward to seeing you whole and healthy and hearing of your adventures first-hand.
Love from your brother Tom and Mille’ and Luke
G’day Steve and Team
Congrats on this achievement – another milestone for you all I am sure. Word gets out to us in Oz, so we are praying for your safe return journey and a full report once you get back to Base camp.
Again, best wishes from Sydney
Chris & Harrison Witt
Hi Paul,
Please pass on my congratulations to Steve and Dirk. That is fantastic news. It must put an exciting buzz through the team. I hope all has gone well for Megan last night. I was sorry to hear about Rudi and Ravi but sounds like they both made sensible decisions to turn back. Great photos Paul!! Good luck for the next few days…we are thinking of you oftenand I get asked many times a day about your climb.
All is well here…it is raining just about all the time, everything is turning from brown to green and people are even talking about this possibly being the end of the drought. The mood here is very good as we have just recently been told by the water board that there is a risk Ballarat may run out of water in the next twelve months. We would all then be walking around looking like we are living at EBC then 🙂
Goodluck!!!!!!! Love Dame and Beck.