SubscribeEverest Dispatch #52
May 12, 2009
ABC
By Dave Hahn
This was a great day for staying put. That said, it sounded like everything outside our little tents was moving around. The forecast called for snow and wind – the reality was exactly that. I was wide-awake at 5:40 a.m., listening to what sounded like a 20-minute train derailment: an avalanche pouring off Everest’s Southwest face. Several times I zipped down the tent door, only to see that we were still in the milky midst of the turbulent powder cloud thrown off by the slide. I knew the actual debris couldn’t possibly hit ABC – but it was a reminder to me that it wouldn’t be a day for wandering around. The decision had been made the night before that our expedition business would be put on hold. No Sherpas shuttling supplies or camera memory cards-no members going on upper mountain “hikes” in a whiteout.
My gang was due for an ABC rest day in any event, but lack of morning sun and abundant frost shaking from tent ceilings kept us all deep in our sleeping bags this morning. Pathetic as it may sound, we were too lazy to even get up and begin resting.
Once up and about, we were granted breaks in the cloud that allowed us to dry our gear and view the mayhem up on the heights. Huge ribbons of snow and cloud tore back and forth across the mountain faces and circled us. The Niagara Falls noise of it all eventually became accepted background to our head tunes and reading.
Not much thought was given to an Everest summit today. Our radio traffic with BC just confirmed that the rest of the team was wisely pushing back climbing plans. It can be difficult deciding whether marginal weather should dictate climbing plans. Thankfully, that is no longer a problem. Real Himalayan storms don’t invite calculation and outfoxing. Rather, it is an obvious time for patience, for rehydration, for resting and recharging,,,and the tying down of loose objects.
Reader Comments
Dave,
Don’t blame you for keeping inside the tents. Here in Rapid City, SD, it is very windy today high wind alerts going on in our area. Do you know the average wind gust speeds going on up there? Does the wind chill get well below zero? Glad those EB tents are working out well, my coworkers and I hope we will be seeing those tents at the stores in the fall. Hope the weather improves soon.
Dave, great dispatches – keep them coming. Maybe if you have some time you could answer some questions like when we see you carrying a packload during your transits between camps – - what are you bringing with you versus what’s provisioned and left at the camps ?
Hey I think that it is awsome that you are climbing everest I hope you make it to the summit. Also what is the hardest thing to do while climbing everest and when you dont get a good window for a summit bid do you get frustrated because of the anticpation building up to try for the summit, please write back soon
Thanks!!!
Checking the Share weather site at the south col the temp is at -20 C (-4 DegF) but the wind speed is zero. I’m not sure the anemometer is working.
What’s the chance the monsoon kicks in early and scrubs all attempts this year? I hope it doesn’t happen. Great dispatches and keep safe.
Great updates under extreme conditions. Gives us an appreciation just how difficult your endeavor is both physically and mentally. Your team is an inspiration to us all as well as a reminder how comfortable we have it at home. That skiff of snow this morning on my front yard doesn’t seem that bad anymore! By the way thanks for a great reply to the search for Irvine question. Hope the weather gives you a break soon.
Grizmtn
tell Harvey to be safe and get some beautiful images so I can drool over them while shooting green screen in a boring a!! studio.
How is the camera holding up?
Very exciting climbing everest– what cameras are you using?