Climber Update - History Was Made!!!

Today was a ground, breaking day in the world of mountaineering.  Erik Weihenmayer has reached higher ground then any other blind person in history, at 24,000 ft. 

At 8:45 a.m. 12 of the 13 climbers of the NFB 2001 Everest Expedition took off to camp three traveling up the Lhotse Face.  All of the members had to dart and dodge rock and ice all day long as they traveled up the fixed lines.  Some of the rock and ice pieces were as big as sleeping bags in a stuff sac.  According to Didrik Johnck, "It was like dodging bar stools all day long!"  At 2:45 p.m., Chris Morris was the first climber to reach camp three strong and healthy just a whole lot tired!  All of the other climbers reached camp three by 5:00 p.m. safe and sound but extremely tired.

The NFB climbers are sharing camp three tonight with a group of Spaniards and Russians. 

Jeff Evans was the only climber that did not go up because of a lower GI problem he has been suffering from for several weeks.  Jeff returned to base camp at 3:00 p.m. safe and sound and will get some well, needed rest and recovery.   Half way through the day Steve Gipe and Eric Alexander returned to camp two and will relax there until the team moves back down to base camp.   All is well with Steve and Eric, they were just tired and concerned about the rock and icefall coming off the Lhotse Face.

Tonight, the 10 climbers will sleep at camp three and tomorrow will attempt to proceed up through the Yellow Band and Geneva Spur going as far as they can, possibly reaching camp four at 26,000 ft.  They will retreat to camp two after their push and spend the night there.  On Wednesday, they will go back to base camp for some well needed rest for a day or two and then proceed on down to Dingboche for four or five days. 

So far everything is going as planned for the team.  They are working hard, staying safe and enjoying every step of the way.  Keep sending your thoughts and prayers and all of the positive karma will get them to the summit!

Make yourself a great day!

Kevin Cherilla