Safely back at C4 and with enough oxygen in reserve Dawa and David will attempt to summit again this evening. They face a long day today resting in their tents the only distraction being the NATO ration packs on offer and Dawa’s jokes – good luck David.
The Japanese climber and environmentalist Ken Nagouchui, had to abandon his summit bid due to oxygen issues above C3. His climbing partner Mingma Gelzen Sherpa continued and was able to summit alone this morning at 1015. Congratulations to Mingma.
The Indian teams are now all at Camp 4, leaving C3 at 0400 this morning they negotiated their way up the Lhotse Face traversing across the Yellow Band before tackling the final obstacle the Geneva Spur and arriving at C4. With a few hours to rest, they will be heading out for the summit at approx 2200 tonight. The climbers will be accompanied all the way by their Sherpa’s who will guide as follows:
Pawan – Pemba Tshering (Mila) Sherpa and Passang Temba Sherpa
Premlate – Tshering Finso Sherpa and Kalden Sherpa
Sunita – Nima Kancha Sherpa and Sonam Tasi Sherpa
Sushma – Tenzing Dorjee Sherpa
Vikas – Lhakpa Nuru Sherpa
Narinder – Sonam Tshering Sherpa
Rodrigo – Kami Tshering Sherpa
Arjun – Nawangle Sherpa
Rodrigo Raineri has also made it to C4. Rodrigo was so close to summiting with his fellow Brazilians Carlos and Carlito on the 07 May. If successful Rodrigo will be attempting to launch himself off the summit with the aid of a Parapane, now to the man in the street a Parapane is a parachute with extra string to steer with. Madness! I hear you cry, but in the hands of an expert like Rodrigo it’s a quick ticket to BC and an early bath.
On what looks to be a busy summit night, there will be 21 clients and Sherpa’s climbing up towards the summit of Everest. At the same time Arjun Vajpai will be leaving the Lhotse high camp with Nawangle Sherpa for the summit. Apa and I will be here at BC monitoring the radio traffic and hopefully by tomorrow we will be reporting on a successful night. Good luck to all.
