April 29, 2011
Everest Base Camp and Pumori Camp I
Today we did a training hike up to Camp I on Pumori, a 7000-meter peak across the Khumbu Valley from Nuptse. I brought my big lens on got some great shots of Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse near the top. We have one more full rest day in BC before moving up the mountain again for rotation #2, a 6 day stay at Camp II and maybe Camp III as well. We have all enjoyed the recovery at BC but are anxious to get going again with the climbing.
Ephi stoked on the hike and life in the mountains.
Looking up into the Western Cwm at the massive Lhotse Face and the summit of Lhotse. You can pick out the South Col at the left of the photo, the site of our Camp IV. Camp III is in the broken seracs halfway up the center of the face.
The upper part of Lhotse, coated in some fresh snow. The normal route on Lhotse goes up a skinny little couloir on the left of the photo. Skiers Kris Erickson and Jamie Laidlaw of the North Face team are planning on trying to ski this line later in May. Hopefully it keeps snowing as the line is pretty dry right now.
Mt Everest as seen from Pumori Camp I. The South Summit is the little bump on the ridge line, and the Hillary Step is just between that bump and the summit. I can not wait to be walking that ridge at sunrise in a couple weeks.
Looking down on the mini-city of Everest Basecamp. It is estimated now that around 700 people are occupying BC, and it seems to be growing every few days. Our camp is located in the upper part of the camp, which we consider prime real estate, especially when it comes to getting clean water, and not having to tramp through everyone else’s camp to get to the icefall.
A close up look at the meat of the Khumbu Icefall. In years past teams might climb through the icefall up to ten times getting acclimated for Everest. With our “block” program of acclimatization we will only have to move through the icefall three times, thus significantly reducing the risk in this most dangerous part of the Everest route.
The Mountain Trip crew taking a break at Camp I on Pumori after a great training hike. Left to right, Greg, Newell, Irik, Ephi, Bill, and Neal. Greg, Irik, and Newell are climbing as a separate group with guide Scott Woolums while Neal, Ephi, Bill, and myself form our own team. We are sharing all the camps and facilities on the trip and are on similar schedules as well.
Neal Beidleman
Stoked to be in the mountains, as usual.
Clouds building on the massive West Face of Nuptse.
