Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Rest complete! Leaving for Camp 1 and 2.

Today ends our 3 day rest cycle. Tomorrow we will leave basecamp at 5:00a.m. and travel the entire Khumbu Icefall all the way to Camp 1 which is at an elevation of 19,680’. We will stay only 1 night at this camp because it is just a temporary refuge. We will then leave one tent at Camp 1 and some oxygen which will be for emergencies only. The following morning we will then enter the Western Cwm, rope together because of the enormous crevasses, and climb to Camp 2. This camp is also known as Advanced Basecamp (ABC) and is at an elevation of 21,000’. This camp will be our future staging area when preparing for our summit attempt and Camp 1 will be bypassed completely. The plan is to stay at this camp for 2 nights and then return all the way to basecamp for a 5 – 7 day period of rest. Why so long of a period of rest? There are several reasons. Number 1 is that just living at this altitude is extremely arduous, demanding, and tiresome. The body needs this time of rest in order to function “properly” at the higher elevations on Mount Everest. As well, it is extremely difficult to eat sufficiently at altitude so in returning to basecamp we can try and eat enough to replenish what has been lost on the mountain. Number 2 is that we need to wait for the Lhotse Face to be fixed with rope and for Camp 3 to be established at an elevation of 23,900’. I will provide more information on this camp in a later dispatch. Please remember that nobody would be able to climb Mount Everest without the help of Sherpas. There are personal Sherpas and group Sherpas. I will also provide more information on these hardworking people at a later time. Look for more to come as well as some pictures in 3 – 4 days. Thank you for your continued prayers of safety. Also, please keep my lovely wife and awesome son in your prayers as I am away. Thank you.

12 comments:

Louie and Ruth said...

We are praying earnestly for you, for your safety, your health-physical and mental, for Diana, and for Alexander. Your blog helps us all keep in touch and know how to pray. Thank-you for the updates.
Love and Prayers, Louie and Ruth

Doug Whittier said...

Glad to hear things are progressing at a steady pace, thanks for the updates..! God bless..!

Gavin Attwood said...

Ben,
I continue to be green with envy!
Peace,
Gavin

Anonymous said...

Hey BEN!! Nice update, glad to see things are going well. Hollaaaaa......

Travis,

Unknown said...

Great updates & pix, Ben! Your April 5 note re: "Voice of Truth" shows that you are being one of those secondary voices yourself. Way to go! Keep learning and trusting.
Praying for you, Diana & Alex,
Aunt Carol
(in FLAT Florida where we not only have no mountains, we don't even have any "bumps"!)

Anonymous said...

Yay for Sherpas! yay for Yaks too! Did you talk about yaks already? Have they been "staring?" I'm excited for your next couple camps! Still praying! :)

Stephy-lu

Mom said...

Go, Ben, Go! (Or maybe, Rest, Ben, Rest???) The best is yet to come! Can't wait to hear more. Praying EARNESTLY for you, Diana and Alexander. "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not; they are new every morning. GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS!"

Love, Mom and Dad

Josie said...

"LIVING THE DREAM "

Amazing Ben !

Get lots of rest and EAT, EAT, EAT...

Prayers for you , your team and your family

Josie

glenda said...

Thanks for sharing,,prayers continue for safety of all,,,wishes for peace continue

Bryce said...

Ben, Do you know what your doing?
Couldn't help but think of you today, on tax day. Your favorite liberal coffee house is giving away (for free) its fresh brewed coffee. So in your honor I went to Starbucks and got a free cup of coffee. I have to say it was a good cup of coffee, you do have to have your own mug thou. Love the pics, good luck.

Anonymous said...

Hi Ben
I tried this once before but it didn't work so I'm trying it again. Uour Mom gave me some pointers on how it would work so here goes. I'm one of many who are praying for you, Diana and Alexander. You've had some great pictures but I'll see many more on my next trip out there. Keep trusting in HIM and you'll make it through this. Love you. Grandma

Bonnie said...

Ben
Praying for you and your family...and as your Mom said Rest Rest Rest!!! so you can go on...

Bonnie & Jim Travis