Location: Everest Base Camp
Date: 6:30am 17th May
Weather: Clear – looks like a great day
Altitude: 5300 meters
Hi everyone, Fiona here,
Just a quick update to let you know that Paul has now left basecamp and begun his summit bid.
Getting Ready
We woke at 4am this morning and after getting dressed in his climbing gear, had breakfast at 4:30. Two bowls of porridge so that should give him enough energy to get through the icefall. Meagan had already left but Attila and Paul heated their gloves on the gas heater and drank as much Sherpa tea as their bodies would let them.
Formalities
Then they headed over to the Puja Altar where juniper had been burning since the early hours of the morning. The threw rice into the air towards the altar and placed more juniper on the fire. The Sherpas chanted their prayers for a safe passage for all, and they were on their way.
Crampon Point Goodbyes
I walked over to the crampon point with them and we were a bit surprised to find it crowded with around 50 people. It turned out that a Malaysian team of 7 climbers is heading up today as well and they have an army of supporters here with them.
Paul, Attila and Mingma (Attila’s Sherpa) attached their crampons and then it was time to say goodbye and good luck. Paul and I hugged and kissed goodbye but we had talked a lot of the night as neither of us could sleep so we didn’t have too much more to say. I think it was around 5:15 when they left.
Today they are planning to go only to camp 1 as Paul doesn’t like climbing in the Western Cwm once the sun has hit. Lakpa (Paul’s Sherpa) will meet them at camp 2 tomorrow.
As I watched them leave, there were a whole stream of people in the icefall today – probably because of the good weather forecasts.
That’s all for now – I’m going back to bed to warm up my feet!
Fiona
Have a great time and have fun. You have been an inspiration and we hope you make it to the summit. We hope you’ve double checked your gear and come back safely. Best of luck from Grade 5/6D.
Fi,
He will do great and come back safe .. you know that.
Alan
Hi Guys,
Paul – Best of luck over the next few days, hopefully the weather stays on your side.
Fi – Hope you are not too nervous at Basecamp, at least we know Paul couldn’t have had a better preparation this year. Development of WOMOW.com.au is going well and we’ve got quite a few people signing up to be notified when it goes live. Also should be an article in MX magazine in next couple of weeks.
Thinking of you guys,
Brad, Trace, Madi & Paige.
I cannot image how Paul feels, but I know my adrenalin has started pumping, as it did last year. Good luck Paul on your Everest assault. You have put in all the hard work on preparation, so I am confident that if you avoid the bad luck of last year, you will be summiting in a few days. Thanks for the great coverage.
Michael Hearn
Hi Guys,
The photo of everyone going up the icefall is great! You would not expect that somewhere so remote and difficult could be so busy!
Chris
Paul we’ve been following your 2007 Everest Expedition just as closely as last year. We wish you a safe and successful climb. We know you’ll conquer everest. We just conquered our own Everest! Somewhat different no doubt, but we were at Disneyworld a couple of weeks ago with the kids and rode their latest adventure rollercoaster called “Everest”. Must say that the Yeti is pretty scary…but we were thinking of you the whole time and took a few pictures to compare with yours! (We’re guessing that yours are a little more impressive!!!)
We look forward to hearing of your adventure over a drink when we catch up later this year!
Fi – hope your toes are a little warmer now & we have no doubt your support for Paul both encourages and inspires him.
We’re wishing you all the best and can’t wait to see the update that sees Paul Adler on top of the world!
Mark, Fiona, Annabelle & Alexander xoxoxoxo
We’re rootin’ for ya! And we’ll keep Weather Fingers crossed as well…
Scott
Good luck and be safe!
Paul, best of luck in your endevour to climb the mountain. I have enjoyed tracking you and fionas posts over the last 12 months and have felt like I am there with both of you.
I have had a great time watching your progress on google earth and have shown it to my 2 sons. Talk about bringing the mountain into your living room.
Stay focused and take it one step at a time.
Regards
Brian
Hi Fiona,
I feel soooo disappointed I didn’t get to write before he left. I wanted to wish him luck, health, strength and best wishes however I’m sure he’ll be fine with everyone else’s wishes. Nervous times again, you must feel very strange – anxious, helpless….my thoughts are with you too.
Bye for now and I await the next update!!!
Jacqueline x
Hi Fi,
I received my email notifying me of your new post with the title “The Summit Bid Has Begun” and I got goosebumps. It’s that nervous, excited time for all card-carrying members of The Adler Army out here in the blogosphere. All the pieces are in place, Paul could not be any more prepared, nor could he be surrounded by better mates as he ascends. I don’t know if he’ll see any of these posts during his stops at the various Camps up high, but please relay to Paul that he climbs with all the hopes and prayers of us all. I will be asking my Savior to wrap His loving arms around Paul every step, giving him strength and courage and the internal fortitude to press forward when the going gets tough.
Godspeed, Paul.
Mark R
Pennsylvania USA
Hi Guys, great to hear Paul’s on his way and looking foward to hearing of his progress. Inspirational again… all the way. Thinking of you both and look forward to seeing you soon. Rich
For some reason, I have a tear in my eye (a tear of joy)! I am wishing Paul and everyone a safe passage up this magnificent yet unrelenting mountain. I believe Paul will make the summit that he so deserves! Good luck!
Onward and upward!
MC
As I did last year at this time, I anxiously await to hear of Paul’s travels to the top. Thanks to both of you for designing such a wonderfully rewarding website. I hope to have an adventure posted some time in the future! This is such a great idea and I’m sure once more people hear of it, there will be many, many My Everests.
All the luck in the world to Paul!
Cheers,
Andrea
thanks for the great photos and blog.very sensible of paul only going to c/1 .will make the next pitch to c/2 then up to c/3 so much less taxing. kind regards.[ken.nz]
I want to be a founding member!
God speed Paul and team. I will be praying for you all. Marg’s friend Maree
Dear Paul,
We wish you all the best for your summit bid. We are in awe of what you have achieved so far, and will be cheering you on all the way to the summit!
Em and Marc
P.S. Hi Fi, we are thinking of you too! Hope you are well-look forward to hearing from you soon.
Good luck Paul
we have been following your trail pretty closely checking your updates and photos and we wish you all the best and safe climb to the Summit.
You and Fiona are truly an amazing and inspirational couple!
“May you journey in peace and walk in delight, and may the blessing of the Perfect One be always with you.” – Nawang Tenzing Zang-Po, The Reincarnate of Thyangboche’s welcome to visitors to the Thyangboche Monastery.
wp
Hi Paul & Fi,
Sitting back here in Oz in front of my Mac it is hard to gain a real sense of what you guys are experiencing but your regular updates do an amazing job of filling that gap.
Sounds like the planets are lining up and Paul is finally on his way to the top of the world and no-one deserves to get there more than him.
Good luck. Good luck. Good luck . . . . I can’t wait for the “He Made It” update.
Steve Baile (Can’t wait to see your video when you get back)
Thanks Fiona about all the news not just about Paul but others… Really appreciated you have mentioned many times our Hungarian guy there… I am trying to keep up-to-date his site and his friends and relatives about his progress, your posts make a huge difference, just wanted to let you know and thanks a lot. I am sure Paul can make it this year!:) Mira
Good luck Paul and safe climbing.
Love from Mama and the Barrow family
Staff and students at St Leonard’s are behind you all the way. Good luck Paul, we hope you achieve your dream!