Winter turns to Spring the world round and in the mighty Himalaya; the great peaks of the world emerge from their snow covered slumber. This Spring as in past years, climbers will walk past the blossoming rhododendron, in pursuit of the world highest mountain. While preparing for Everest is an arduous task, we are always excited at to get another season up and running, as we have been doing since 1990 !
This morning (March 25, 2011) we load boxes (years ago we designed boxes that work well for the flight and yak travel) of food, gear, communications equipment into the van and will make our way to the airport. These same boxes will eventually be strapped to the feisty yaks, and make there way through the Khumbu region of Nepal to Everest base camp.
Meanwhile staff in Nepal started preparations weeks ago, purchasing and checking Oxygen bottles, procuring gear and food supplies, checking lodging and dining tents and cordoning off our 2011 base camp home. Given the terrain at base camp, our Sherpa team must make platforms for every tent, a tough task at 17,500 feet. Our Sirdar and co- leader Lakpa Rita Sherpa oversees this portion of the prep.
Along with our climbers, a group of trekkers will walk with climbers to base camp, stopping at villages, monasteries and visiting friends along the way. This always makes the trek in festive while allowing all to absorb Sherpa culture and experience the warmth and hospitality that have always been a part of this cultural sharing.
So onward and upward we go, into another Everest season and we look to share our experiences with you via this cybercast page. Our trekking team will be led by Suzanne Allen. Lead climbers for our Everest ascents include a very skilled and experienced group of guides including Lakpa Rita Sherpa, Garrett Madison, Michael Horst, and Ben Jones with our BC manager, Joe Kluberton.
This years climbing team (please see team roster and bios) have been prepping, training and climbing for months leading up to the expedition. We do hope you will join us in sharing our good wishes and Namaste’s and follow along as we track the 2011 Everest season.
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