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SKIING THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA PART 1
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GETTING INTO WINTER CLIMBING SHAPE WITH FA GUIDE CHAD PEELE
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CARSTENSZ PYRAMID THE HEROES PROJECT EXPEDITION IN THREE ACTS
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KYLE MILLER ON FIRST FILM PREMIERE AND TRANSITIONING FROM SKI BUM TO PRO ATHLETE
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BE FIRST RECIPIENT JON TURK RECAPS HIS EPIC, FIRST CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF ELLESMERE ISLAND
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TAHOE GUIDE MEETING DAY 2 THE GUIDE BUILT PROCESS
Everest Dispatch #20
April 13, 2009
Everest Basecamp…… 17,530 ft.
N 28° 00.336′ E 086° 51.504′
by Seth Waterfall
Greetings from Everest Basecamp! I still have to pinch myself to make sure I’m really here. To come here and climb has been a longtime dream for me, but it’s only been the last four or five years that I thought it would be possible. I never really imagined I’d be doing so as a part of this amazing team.
For me personally, this couldn’t be a better opportunity. I get to pester Ed Viesturs with pretty much any question I want about climbing in the Himalaya, and learn how to guide these peaks from Dave Hahn. I can’t really see me ever having access to this kind of brain trust again in my guiding career. To add that in with climbing in gear that we have all helped develop from the ground up makes this truly a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
It was just over a year ago that I was doing a normal guiding rotation at RMI. For me, that has meant starting in May on Rainier, then heading to Alaska to work on Denali then back to Rainier until August, then I head over to Africa to guide on Kilimanjaro. When my boss Peter Whittaker invited me to be a part of this team, I had no idea what it would lead to, yet here I am at Everest Base Camp getting ready to head into the Western Cwm.
This is our third day in base camp and I’m still trying to judge the scale of the mountains here. I’m used to the feeling of getting my bearings in an unfamiliar mountain range. It’s one of the best parts of climbing somewhere new. With no trees or buildings or anything familiar to give you reference, you can get vertigo trying to approximate distances or elevations. Typically, the novice will underestimate distances drastically. I’ve spent enough time in the mountains though to have a healthy respect for this trickery.
The difference here is that there is no grander scale. When I first saw Everest from Namche Bazaar, I couldn’t believe how big it was or how far away we still were. Now that we’re closer and the satellite peaks of the Everest massif block the summit from view, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t even more intimidated.
But if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years from all of my mentors and climbing partners, it’s how to tackle big objectives. In a sense, this one is no different… wait, what am I saying?! It is different. It’s the biggest mountain in the world. Step by step, that’s how we’ll do it. With a healthy respect for the mountain.
In a few days, we’ll head into the icefall for our first real physical test of the trip. I’m really psyched to put the boots on and get the crampons and ice axe out. My job on this trip is really just getting started. I can’t wait to get going.
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Comments 
Please give us views and opinions of the living legends as well as the skills that you obviously have to be included with the best. This is truly a treat to follow you guys on a daily basis. Thanks so much and be safe.
Looks like going through the lateral icefall, that fear is NOT an option! Any idea on how deep some of these crevasses could be? Do the sherpas keep in contact on their progress on laying the ladder trail through the Western Cwm? Glad you guys are staying “clipped in” and that the First Ascent Gear are keeping you all comfortable. I look forward to owning my own pieces too. Stay safe and keep going with those awesome photos and videos. Can’t wait to see you all safely on the summit and back.
R895 are all following your every move Seth, stay focused and be safe!
Wow, climbing with this team must be like getting to play golf with Tiger Woods! Thank you for sharing such an awesome adventure with us. Team R155 in Boise sends our best wishes to you all, stay safe up there!
What a great adventure for you Seth!! please know our team at 294 is with you and your team every step of the way!
Seth,
Best of luck to you. You are truly lucky to be in the company that you are. I have been a fan of high altitude climbers for a long time. I’m glad to be able to add you to that list of people. I look forward to watching the progress of this team. Be safe.
Seth,
It is so exciting to watch your adventure unfold. Your Santa Barbara, Boston, New York, and New Hampshire families are tuned in and living this dream with you!
Be Safe!
Namaste
I’d like to know who are the sherpa leaders in your expedition? Can you name them? Is Tendi Sherpa, sun of Khamsum with you? We manage an agency together named AudanTrekking. If yes, tell him our greetings.
All the best