Sir Edmund Hillary dies at age 88

Sad news from the mountaineering world - Sir Edmund Hillary who in 1953 along with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay summited Mount Everest has died.

There is a comprehensive and well written story on CNN.com about it.

From the article is this little glimpse into the kind of humble and simple man that he was, who cared more about others (including the Sherpa people) than himself:

Before Norgay's death in 1986, Hillary consistently refused to confirm he was first, saying he and the Sherpa had climbed as a team to the top. It was a measure of his personal modesty, and of his commitment to his colleagues.

He later recalled his surprise at the huge international interest in their feat. "I was a bit taken aback to tell you the truth. I was absolutely astonished that everyone should be so interested in us just climbing a mountain."

Thanks for the dreams of Everest and for being more than just a climber. RIP

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Everest Base Camp by Bike or by Bus?

I'm a backcountry skier, but I'm also a road biker. Yea I fit the demo - shaved legs, tight spandex, jump on an ultra small super firm seat and ride for hours. But before you laugh, it sure beats what wrestlers do - put on a tight spandex outfit and jump on another guy.

Anyway, like most roadie's there's nothing better than finding an ultra smooth fresh section of blacktop and better yet if it goes for miles and miles. That is unless that road is headed to Everest's Base Camp on the North side. I'll have no part of it.

You know what's going to happen. I don't even need to write it, but I will. We've already seen long boarding expeditions ready to take clients to Everest to longboard the Big "E" Expressway (soon to be known as the Double E).

It makes me cringe but I'm willing to put money that Backroads will soon offer the Everest Base Camp Bike Expedition. If not Backroads, someone else will do it. Then there will be endless "travelers" taking a bus ride to Everest Base Camp, long a place of legend and mystic and now chaos. I've even read musings of a resort. Sadly, it's bound to happen.

In their newsletter this month our friends at KE Adventure Travel are posing the following questions regarding the soon to be paved road:

* Is this a step in the right direction, making base camp more accessible to everyone?

* Or are we overcrowding the fragile ecosystems at higher altitudes in the name of progress?

Got an opinion? Enter a comment below by clicking "comments" or send your $.02 to KE Adventure Travel and be sure to entitle your e-mail "Tibet Road".

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Longboarders to Converge on the Everest Super-Highway

I'm still shaking my head over why the IOC gave the games to the Chinese without including some sort of clause that kept them from pulling the sort of asshattary that they are now pulling off in the name of "carrying the torch" for the 2008 Olympic games.

According to 149 news sources as of this post (including the Herald Sun out of Australia) China will pave the previously rocky and bumpy dirt road that leads to Base Camp on the north side of Mount Everest.

Xinhua News Agency said yesterday construction of the road, budgeted at $23.4 million, would turn a 108km rough road from the foot of the mountain to a base camp at 5200m "into a blacktop highway fenced by undulating guard rails".

Fenced by undulating guard rails? What the?

However, I smell an opportunity here. Fresh pavement for 108 km with little to no traffic on it? Bring it on!

Introducing the first ever Mount Everest Longboarding Expedition.

We'll provide shuttles, food, transportation and will rent longboards. In true expedition fashion if you happen to go down and your longboard pitches off the road (passing over or under the undulating guard rails) no bother, we'll hook you up with another one. At Base Camp you'll rub shoulders with the top mountaineers in the world and while they put on heavy packs and head up, you'll don knee pads, a helmet and we'll head down.

These 3 week expeditions will allow enough time to acclimatize to the elevation by conducting mini descents, leading up to the 108km (67.1 miles for you Yanks out there) mega descent that is the Mount Everest Highway! Reserve your spot today.

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Everest Summit Success!

Hey Guys!

Just a quick post to let you know that our team reached the summit on May 21st at 7:00am!!!

I'll post a few photos when Molly and I get back from Kathmandu but, for now, check out the video at: http://www.humanedgetech.com/expedition/ac22/videos/Summit%20Day_0002.wmv

Thanks for all the support over the last few months.

Baxter.

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Baxter Going To the Top of the World

It's Game On!!! Baxter is headed to the top of the world. The Adventure Consultants team left base camp and will go through the Khumbu Ice Fall, past camp 1 and on to camp 2 in the Western Cwm. From there they will head up the Lhotse face and on to the South Col. Anticipated summit day is May 20 or 21. Stay tuned.

This is Baxter's note below:

Basically, it's 3:15pm on Monday Nepali Standard Time (NST) which is 3:31am Sunday Mountain Standard Time and we got the word this morning, after reviewing numerous weather forecasts, that a weather window may be opening up for later in the week.

Our current plan now is to leave tomorrow morning at 3:00am NST and head directly to C2. This is going to be a long day through the Ice Fall and past C1 but will give us more flexibility with the weather. We will then rest for a day at C2, then to C3 the next day, then to C4/South Col where we may rest for a day or head for the summit depending on the weather. Summit may be around Saturday or Sunday NST if our plans don't change.

As you can imagine, Base Camp is VERY active and exciting right now. Sherpa are running around, team members are packing and guides are planning. What a cool place to be! All the preparation that we have done now comes into play and we can just hope that we all stay healthy and the weather stays good.

Since Molly is traveling down valley at the moment, I'd suggest that the AC Dispatches may be the best source of news if you want to cut and paste for the blog.

Wish us luck and thanks for the support!

Baxter.

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Resting and Recovering at 14,000'

I just heard from Baxter, one of our Backcountry.com customer bloggers here, as he is descending from Everest Base Camp to Periche for a few days rest before they head for the summit. We'll be wishing him luck as he returns to base camp and starts up the mountain.

Hey Man!

We'll I've survived the acclimatization process by enduring the forays up to the Lhotse Face and sleeping there without Os. It was really cool going through the Ice Fall (man does that thing move!), wandering the Western Cwm, and being up close and personal with the Yellow Band and the Geneva Spur. I can't wait to get on the South Col and then finish the rest of this "Everest sightseeing trip" :>). Weather dependant, we should begin the summit push mid-next week but right now we're resting at BC and prepping for a few days down in the valley at around 14K to recover. Molly is going to meet me in Pheriche for a day to chill before the team heads back to BC for the final summit prep. The main import that Molly is bringing us is the movie "Talladega Nights", funny what you want sometimes when away from home! I think the altitude has effected my sense of humor... or maybe it is living in tents on a glacier for over a month, who knows.

Thanks and take care.

Baxter.

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Moving On Up

Baxter and crew (Adventure Consultants Team) are now on their second acclimatization hike through the Khumbu and resting at the base of the Lhotse Face. Their goal for the week is to spend a couple nights at Camp 3 (23,500ft) on the Lhotse Face without oxygen, and then descend to a more oxygen rich environment prior to their summit attempt.

Last week, the climbers were relaxing and enjoying the “thicker” air at Everest Base Camp, after taking a four day hike up to 22,500 feet. Their environment is extreme and there are continuous avalanches and shifting of the icefall, which can look very different going up as it does coming down. In addition to the acclimatization, the team also has “normal” ailments to contend with, including, colds, flu, cough (sometimes severe enough to crack ribs) and just the general intestinal bugs that come with being in a foreign country. It is incredible they manage these issues while continuing to climb and power through the conditions.

Baxter has mentioned the gear on several occasions and it is so incredible that everything is exactly what he needs. As many outdoors enthusiasts can relate, a person is setup for failure if they don’t have the right equipment. From his Marmot 8000m pants and jacket (which he sleeps in at Camp 2) to the Petzel ascenders that keep him from falling off the Lhotse face, he wouldn’t change a thing. I even found that a “short” trek still requires a North Face Base Camp Duffel to fit all the gear.

I am fortunate enough to be leaving the Wasatch today to join Baxter in the Himalaya for his trek back home. We will continue to provide the updates from the road as the adventure continues.

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Super Sherpa Expedition Lands in Nepal

Apa Sherpa and Lhakpa Sherpa are headed to Mount Everest, again. Should they summit, which is highly likely considering their track record, it will be their 17th and 13th summits respectively.

A couple of months ago I had the opportunity to share a few moments casually chatting with these two climbers. The event was a pre-screening of a soon to be released documentary by David Breashears (yes that is a wikipedia.org link. David must be out climbing since his own name site says "Coming Fall of 2005") about the storm and events following the May 10, 1996 Everest summit attempt by two teams, that of Rob Hall and the team of Scott Fisher.

What I found most interesting was that while all the event attendees were busy talking one with another prior to the pre-screening, Apa and Lhakpa were essentially flies on the wall. Most were oblivious to these two, not knowing what they have accomplished in the world of high altitude climbing and how it sets them apart from the masses. But after speaking with them I don't think that what they have accomplished are the defining elements of who they are. Humble, happy, big heart, cheerful, kind. These attributes are more true to defining what sets these two men apart.

I watched a couple of the videos on the Super Sherpa website, namely the video "Apa's Message" and "Lhakpa's Message" which gave me further insight into the humble nature of these climbers. If ever anyone had bragging rights, it is Apa and Lhakpa but that is the last thing they would ever do, being completely contrary to their persona's.

So they're off to Everest, having recently arrived in Kathmandu to meet with Nepalese dignitaries and other officials.

As one of Backcountry.com's good friends, Roger Kehr, is the base camp director for the Super Sherpa team I'll be updating this blog with any news we hear from them. Additionally, the Salt Lake Tribune has a dedicated mini-site with a blog where they will be following this Utah based expedition.

Best of luck my friends...Namaste.

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17,600 - The Magical Everest Base Camp Number

17,600 is the magic number. It is where Everest Base Camp resides and where the trek ends, but the true climbing begins. It is where you move forward in your journey to the top of the world and where there are so many adventure stories written about and a person always wonders about - well Baxter made it there!!

It is Wed, April 11, 2007 in Nepal and Baxter and the climbing team are sleeping snug in their tents at Everest Base Camp. By "snug", I mean, they are listening to the creaks and cracks as the glacier moves and the sound of avalanches through the night remind them where they are. Apart from the noise, its also a searing 16 degrees IN the tent at night, and Baxter said his water bottles froze, even with the wrap-around insulators he got from Backcountry.com. The altitude at EBC is 17,600, so they are once again acclimatizing. Everyone is healthy and moving on, so that's a great start.

While the trekkers who have been following Baxter's climbing team head back to Kathmandu, the climbers will attend a Puja ritual. The puja is a spiritual ceremony where the team asks permission from Chomolungma (the Buddhist term for Everest) to climb her. Also, the llamas bless the climbers, their gear, and their climb. It is great experience because everyone participates from the sherpas, to the climbers, to the Base Camp staff.

The next few days will involve an acclimatization hike up Kala Pattar, where they can enjoy the spectacular views of Everest. They will also begin adjusting to the unusual terrain of the Khumbu Ice Fall and crossing the crevasses with their crampons and the down suits which will be a new experience for most. In the weeks to come, there will be new adventures on a daily basis and it should be exciting to hear all the tales.

More to come as they reach the higher camps and hopefully the summit!

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Journey to the Top

After an eventful flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, including a "go-around" on the foggiest day the guides have ever seen planes fly, the Adventure Consultants Team arrived in the Khumbu. The Adventure Consultants Team made it to Namche on Monday where Baxter was able to do some shopping for a few last minute items, like a Tibetan rug for the tent floor (every tent has GOT to have a nice rug!!) and some prayer flags to leave at the top of the world. The team also got their first crystal clear view of Everest from Khumjung! Boy, did it look slightly windy at the top.

They spent a couple rest days in Namche, where they were able to acclimitize to the higher altitude as well as get to know each other. The team includes a variety of people from all walks of life and places around the world, so its interesting just to hear all the individual stories that brought each person to this place in the world at the same time.

From Namche, they will continue the trek to Everest Base Camp (EBC) which will include several days of 6 hour hikes until they arrive at 17,600 ft. They have quite a bit on their mind with the climbing still ahead and its great that they have each other as they continue to build on their skills and acclimitazation.

We will get more updates as the team moves up so be sure to check back!

Next stop Everest Base Camp!!!

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Heading out to Kathmandu...then Everest Base Camp

The gear has been packed, the research completed and the training done so there is nothing left to do but get on the plane and start the journey. I leave tomorrow for Kathmandu via Bangkok arriving around noon on Friday so things are getting real very fast.

This week I’ve gotten in one last paragliding flight, did a few base jumps and one last wingsuit skydive just so that I could have fresh memories while I’m away.

Wow, it is hard to imagine all the changes that are going to occur over the next few months. Illnesses endured, storms weathered, friends made and images burned into the brain. So much is going to occur that is can be a bit overwhelming. Someone once said that climbing Everest is like eating an elephant. If someone asked if you could eat an elephant you’d probably immediately say ‘no’ but if you took a bite every day the animal would soon be gone. It is hard to think about all that has to be done to ever get to the mountain let alone to start climbing but all I can say is that I like elephant and damn am I hungry!

One of the most enjoyable parts of the preparation has been accumulating all the gear. Thanks to Backcountry.com things were made a bit easier. I had to buy all the cool stuff that you see in climbing shops but never really think that you’d be in a position to need it. Things like a Marmot 8000m suit, La Sportiva Olympus Mons boots and Julbo Glacier Glasses with a nose cover are just a few items that are going to be fun to put into use.

Here is the tentative schedule…

• March 28th Depart SLC;
• March 30th Arrive in Kathmandu;
• March 31st Final gear checks, sightseeing, shopping;
• April 1st Fly to Lukla;
• April 1- April 9th Trek to Base Camp;
• April 10 - May 4th Establish camps and acclimatize;
• May 5 - May 12th Rest at Base Camp or lower down valley;
• May 13 - May 25th Summit Climb;
• May 26 - May 27th Clean up & depart Base Camp;
• May 27 - June 1st Trek to Lukla;
• June 1st Fly from Lukla back to Kathmandu;
• June 2nd Depart Kathmandu.

My wife, Molly, will be posting updates from our team up until she leaves in May to trek to Base Camp so stay tuned!

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