Saturday, April 26, 2008

Everest 2008- Latest News

Hey All,


Sorry for the lack of updates, but communications have been difficult lately. Everything is cool here, I have been busy with my acclimatisation cycles, with three nights spent at Camp 1 (6060m) and one trip to Camp 2 (6400m). The trip up to Camp 2, up the Western Cwn or Valley of Silence as it is sometimes known, was truelly awsome, with the huge walls of Nuptse and Everest's West face flanking us on both sides and the Lhotse face and Lhotse (World's 4th Highest Mountain) at the head of the valley providing an awsome background for our climb.


Acclimatisation is going well and my time to Camp 1 is now down to just under 5 hours. Not bad by normal standards until you get passed by Pem Chheri, one of our Super Strong Sherpas, carrying a 30kg load. He makes Basecamp to Camp 1 in 2 hours! and onward to camp 2 in a total of 3 hours. I spoke to Pem in Camp 1, the other day, as he was making his way back from Camp 2 to Basecamp.


"Rest day tomorrow Pem?"
"No, back to work on Camp 2" replied Pem
"Why don't you just stay up there tonight then?" I asked


His simple answer typified the incredible physical ability of the Sherpas


"Not necessary"!!


In between our acclimatisation cycles we have a fair amount of time here at Basecamp. Our 12" DVD player has been working overtime of late with a typical example being watching the complete season 2 of the excellent US series "Entourage" in just 2 sittings!. Also to releave a bit of boredom we took part in a research programme for NASA. Ok Ok I'm bigging it up a little ..in truth, it was for NASA research, but was little more than a 400 question Physchometric test, which from what I could gather was analysing our perception of risk and how much of a nutter you must be to climb Everest.


We have got 2 more cycles to do on the mountain with the main aim of these to sleep at Camp 3 which we hope to have completed by early May. It will then be a case of watching the weather forecasts and planning summit bids.


Hope this finds you all well.
Martin

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Martin

just cut the grass, cleaned out the garage, walked the dog and now about to conquer my own mini mountain of ironing, once I have acclimatised myself to this glass of Chardonnay.

Keep going, stay strong and good luck mate.

Donna ;-} x

Anonymous said...

Great to hear from you yesterday. It's the first time I've had a phone call from Everest that didn't offer me double glazing! - sorry, I couldn't resist that! Sounds like things are going OK for you and the team. Look forward to your next bulletin. Mum x

ouiman said...

Hey Martin hope alls well with you ma friend lots of love from all the hornes

ouiman said...

Sorry about the last bogus comment just making sure that the blog sign in worked. Well ma friend so happy that you managed to gain access to the mountain and that you are gettin the opportunity to attempt the summit. Once again sorry I missed you at the airport, its always difficult to arrange things and stay on time with a bairn. We are all very proud of you amigo and your achievement up til now. I am sure you are speding your way up the mountian in top gentelmanly fashion as ever. We all wish you all the best and I know you will do it as you put in loads of training and I know you are a very determined dude. Good luck and lots of love from all the Hornes and a big hug from yer wee pal. Take it easy Marty.

Unknown said...

I hope you make the summit. The Chinese have certainly done their best to thwart everyone's plans. Leaving Base Camp after May 10th doesn't give you much time to acclimate before the summit window closes. I'm very concerned about my close friends the Sherpas. They are being deprived of much needed income this season.
They are the true heroes of Everest. Without their assistance, very few would reach the summit. To learn more about this amazing tribe, read Beyond the Summit by Linda LeBlanc. Details of Sherpa culture and religion are interwoven in a tale of romance and high adventure. The story has something for everyone: a love affair between an American journalist and Sherpa guide, conflict between generations as the modern world challenges centuries of tradition, an expedition from the porter’s point of view.

Below are selections from reviews. To read the complete ones and excerpts go to www.beyondthesummit-novel.com

Beyond the Summit, is the rare gem that shows us the triumphs and challenges of a major climb from the porter’s point of view. The love of two people from diverse cultures is the fiery centerpiece of a novel that leads its readers through harshly beautiful and highly dangerous territory to the roof of the world. Malcolm Campbell, book reviewer

Conflict and dialog keep this gripping story of destiny, romance and adventure moving from the first page to the last paragraph. LeBlanc has a genius for bonding her readers and her characters. I found I was empathizing in turn with each character as they faced their own personal crisis or trauma.
Richard Blake for Readers Views.

A gripping, gut-twisting expedition through the eyes of a porter reveals the heart and soul of Sherpas living in the shadows of Everest. EverestNews.com

A hard-hitting blend of adventure and romance which deserves a spot in any serious fiction collection. Midwest Book Review

LeBlanc is equally adept at describing complex, elusive emotions and the beautiful, terrifying aspect of the Himalayan Mountains. Boulder Daily Camera

LeBlanc’s vivid description of the Himalayas and the climbing culture makes this a powerful read. Rocky Mt News Pick of the Week

A rich adventure into the heart of the Himalayan Kingdom. Fantastic story-telling from one who has been there. USABookNews.com

This is the book to read before you embark on your pilgrimage to Nepal. The author knows and loves the people and the country, and makes you feel the cold thin air, the hard rocks of the mountains, the tough life of the Sherpa guides, and you learn to love them too. This is a higly literate, but also very readable book. Highly recommended.”
– John (college professor)

Memorable characters and harrowing encounters with the mountains keep the action moving with a vibrant balance of vivid description and dialog. Literary Cafe Host, Healdsburg, CA

This superbly-crafted novel will land you in a world of unimaginable beauty, adventure, and romance. The love story will keep you awake at night with its vibrant tension and deep rich longing. Wick Downing, author of nine novels

Such vividly depicted images of the Everest region and the Sherpa people are the perfect scenario for the romance and adventure feats narrated. It’s a page-turner, so engrossing you end up wanting to visit Nepal! Not just novel, but perfect for those seeking to get acquainted with the culture of this country.
By Claudia Fournier (América, Bs. As., Argentina)

Available through Barnes and Noble, Borders, amazon.com, Chesslerbooks.com, and the web site

Anonymous said...

Hey Marty! We were all happy to see you had left a msg on your blog again, we were starting to get a little worried! It sounds like you are doing well (to be honest we couldn't really understand what you are talking about - but we have moved you up the mountain anyway ;o) Keep up the good work! look forward to your next update! Take Care Gill, Linda & Janna xxx

Anonymous said...

Hi Martin, Sorry for lack of communication from me too, have been on holiday in sunny Portugal, but only a week, not sure my work would be ok with me taking 8 weeks off! :-) Sounds like all is going well for you, but not quite sure why you have to keep going up to Camps and back down again - but am not so clued up on climbing this hightest mountains in the world! Am sure you will be well qualified to become a Sherpa in a few weeks time by the sounds of things and all the ground your covering.

NASA Research indeed! Couldn't they just ask you one question to find out whether you were a nutter or not - am sure it wouldn't be too hard to tell :-) Anyway, by reading the Jagged Globe website i think you're only telling us half the story about your DVD viewings, i know a wee secret about you watching chick flicks, but keep up the tough guy image and nobody will ever know :-) Joking, take care, good luck with the next climb to Camp 3, and speak soon.

Carolyn x

dave casey said...

Hey Marty,
great to read the update - sounds as though you are nearing the summitt push.
I told you there was a video store on everest!!
I just watched your team stumble into the uefa cup final this morning in a totally uninspiring performance - but i am not jealous!! i think the final is being broadcast on the big screen at the top of the hill you are on. Just ask the Sherpa Rangers Supporters Club.
On an even more important note - we have won 3 out of 4 and are second on the ladder. we have had two weeks off due to public holidays and play again next friday.
keep up the good mork matey and can't wait for the next instalment.

dave.