Khumbu Icefall

The group had their first crack at the Khumbu Icefall today, just a training run- over half way up.  Dave said it was not what he expected, less horizontal ladders than expected and actually really fun.  I've heard it described as an adventure lovers ultimate obstacle course.  

This is an a FB post from Larry today:

First trip up the icefall - check! Super fun. Everyone is down safe and did great.

Tomorrow (sidenote, they decided to actually take a rest day tomorrow and begin the next rotation on Monday) we commit to the upper mountain for a few days, hoping to spend a night at C1, night at C2 and at least touch the altitude of C3.

Climb On!

Base Camp Resting

One big happy family again!

Dave and Brandon arrived back to base camp and were reunited with Tom and Larry.  The guys are doing well and trying to keep the germs to a minimum.  This whole experience is a game of trying to dodge a range of ailments.

I talked to Dave and we could barely get a few words in through all of the laughter and peanut gallery commentary from the guys. It's good to hear him laughing and I think it's been a boost to be with the whole group. He's often told me that one of the best parts of mountaineering expeditions is getting to hang out with your friends in a really cool unique situation. Hearing them laughing at high altitude is funny because they can barely get a breath out without coughing but it doesn't stop them from trying.

Dave was able to take a shower for the first time in 8 days and he said the food at base camp is the best they have had since arriving in Nepal.  We were able to talk for a few minutes before the wifi cut out but it's nice that we are able to connect at all!  I remember when he climbed Aconcagua and we did not have any communication for over a week.  I had to watch a webcam of the camp hoping to see a glimpse of him on the day I thought he might be there.  Technology is a wonderful thing.

The guys are taking a few rest days right now, gearing up for the next step.  So breathe easy for the next few days- and hopefully they are too!

Lobuche Summit

(Dave, Brandon, Doug and Kendrick)

These 4 guys were able to summit Lobuche peak (20,075') early this morning!  They arrived on Tuesday afternoon into high camp then got up around 1am for the summit.  Dave said it was beautiful and had amazing views.  They were on fixed ropes for a good portion of the climb which he said was fun to use the ascender and also giving even more experience with that process.  They will use that a lot up above basecamp.  He and Brandon are going strong and ready for the next phase.  Everest is directly behind them!  I asked Dave- is it right behind you, that really tall one? (Meaning sometimes the depth perception is tricky and it's actually further back but looks smaller)  And he replied- Yes... the tallest one :)  The group hiked back down to the Lobuche tea house and are now resting for the night.  

In the morning, Doug and Kendrick will helicopter back to Kathmandu and Dave and Brandon will trek back up to basecamp.  At that point they will have a few rest days to prepare for their first trip through the icefall.  They should have good internet although I've heard you can go through it quickly and it's expensive.  It's much easier for the wifey when there is wifi :) Dave has slept in a different place every night for the last 15 nights so he is looking forward to settling in at basecamp.  Larry and Tom have faced a few health hiccups but from what I can tell, are both on the mend!  

Go team Radiating Hope!

Expedition Begins!

Base camp report from Dave:  Things are going well!  All of the team was able to reach Base camp successfully.  Usually, they require base camp trekkers to turn around shortly after arriving, but our team had a chance to stay overnight and truly get a firsthand account of what it's like.  Base camp is awesome, the expedition guys are lucky enough to have their own toilet, shower and mess tent where they will be living for the next month.  The conditions might actually be better than some of the tea houses they have been in.  Their camp is situated right near the Khumbu ice fall which is a great location.  It can take up to an hour to walk from end of the camp to another so it's nice to be near the action.

Most of Dave and Tom's team was able to helicopter out, back to Kathmandu this morning.  A few stayed to do one last peak.

This morning, the guys were able to attend a Puja ceremony with Lhakpa.  This is a ceremony that the sherpas and climbers participate in.  I loved the description on one website:

"The puja — blessing of the expedition — at Base Camp marked the end of the trekking chapter of the expedition and the beginning of the mountaineering phase of the journey.  Puja is a ceremony officiated by a Lama and two or more monks in front of an altar built of stone. Those performing a puja ask the Gods for good fortune for the sherpas and the climbers as they attempt to summit the mountain. In front of the altar, offerings are made to the Gods: sampa cake, yak milk butter, fried dough, fruits, chocolate, and drinks. Juniper burns continuously in a niche in the altar. All the critical climbing equipment is blessed — harnesses, crampons, ice-axes, and helmets, as well as the expedition flag. Prayer flags are strewn for 100 feet in several directions. During the ceremony, the sherpas chant along with the Lama and monks, and everyone throws rice. The sherpas raise a pole with juniper branches on the top, and it is a sign of good fortune if a gorak (raven) lands on the pole. The ceremony closes with the participants sharing food, and finally with the climbers and sherpas smearing gray sampa flour on each others’ faces — a symbol of their hope that they may live to see each other when they are old and gray."

Dave and Brandon are taking an acclimatization rotation up Lobuche Peak with some of the other guys in the trekking group.  They will be off the grid for a few days then hopefully all back together with Tom and Larry resting at basecamp for a few days and preparing for the next rotation.  

Here are some pics I've received today:

Tom, Rob and Dave at base camp, great support to Dave- sad to see them go.

Dave and Lhakpa meeting up at base camp.   Lhakpa is the organizer of the expedition and is a wonderful asset for the team.  Dave mentioned that his wisdom, experience and leadership have been (and will be) the key to their success.  You can read more about him here.  He will manage the team from base camp and his experienced guides including some of his brothers will guide the team through the higher camps. 

Dave getting his first glimpses of the ice fall near their camp.

Ice Fall- Looks so small and really easy :) 

Being on the trek with some of our best friends has been awesome.

Rachel, Juston, Dave, Josh and Brooke

Base Camp!

All of the groups have now made it to basecamp!  They are resting for the night now.  Dave says the tents, dining tent and showers are great... the wifi might not be the best.  Time will tell.  Most of Dave and Tom's group will be heading out tomorrow to begin their journey back home- either by helicopter or on foot.  Dave, Tom and a few others plan to summit the Lobuche peak in the next few days.  We will hope for good weather for all.  

Here are a few pictures I have been sent in the last 3 days- basically of my family :)  My 2 brother-in-laws have been on this trek with Dave as well as several good friends.  He said it has been so great to have them there for support and laughs.  I'm sure it will be hard to see them all go!

(Dave and my brother-in-law Tom holding a picture of my niece Gracie- Base Camp)

(L to R- Brother-in-law Rob, Dave, Brother-in-law Tom, Tommy W- the mustache summitier)

(Rob, Dave, Tom)

Dingboche

Dave and Tom's group has made it to Dingboche!  Behind them is Everest on the left and Ama Dablam on the right.  Today, the whole group was able to get a blessing from the Lama at Pangboche.  They each also received a scarf to carry.

 Tom and Dave got a special summit blessing from him and a card that they are to carry to the top.  He wrote a personal message to them both.  So cool!

On this wall behind them are pictures of all of the climbers who made it to the summit holding up their card that the Lama gave them.  He asked them to send him a picture from the summit holding the card.

Things are still going great!  Everyone is in good spirits and good health.  The group has really come together and bonded on this incredible journey.  They say the scenery and experiences are like nothing they have ever seen.  They are at 14,400 feet.

Track us

Track us at : https://share.garmin.com/RadHopeEverest

Everest view acclimatization hike

Dave and Tom's group did an acclimatization hike from Namche to the Kumjung village where clear, beautiful views of Everest, Ama Dablam, and other Himalayan icons surrounded our trek.

Boots on the ground

After a nice time in Baudah, we took flight with a 1 hour chopper to Namche. On the flight we saw for the first time our goal, Mt Everest. Excitement was an understatement.

Llama Blessing

Today we met with the head Llama in Kathmandu to receive his blessing over our expedition. We are to carry these scarfs in our packs everywhere we go, all the way to the summit.

Brandon, Tom, Dave arrived in KTM

The rest of the expedition crew has arrived in Kathmandu and has met with some of the mountain crew.

Larry in Dingboche

Larry's in Dingboche for 2 nights. "I got my summit blessing today by a monk in Pangboche - an Everest climbing tradition and a sincere honor.

All 37 from my trekking team doing well. 54 more on the move for Radiating Hope with Brandon and Dave/Tom's groups.

Chomolungma--Here we come

Dave, Tom, and Brandon are taking flight today from SLC to KTM. Larry is well on his way with his trekking group and doing great.

Iditarest Part 2

This picture was taken on the first day of my rookie run of Iditarod 2016. I was fortunate that a professional photographer was in the right place at the right time for a few of majestic Denali right behind my dog team.

A few weeks ago I completed my second Iditarod, and instead of a mountain behind me, I have a big one in front of me - Everest and the opportunity to become a first person to complete both the Iditarod and summit Mount Everest in the same year.

I am so fortunate to be part of such an amazing team. Each member bring so many talents and strengths to the table. With a successful summit, Dave has the chance to not only complete his 7th of the Seven Summits, but will be in a rare Club of people who have completed all seven mountains on the first try. Brandon, through co-founding Radiating Hope has made a significant impact in bringing cancer therapy to patients around the globe. Our tracking groups have raised nearly $100,000 to improve Cancer Care in Nepal - awesome! Tom brings enormous strength to the team as a tough climber and great sense of humor.

Excited to be a part of this.

Climb On!

Team Larry are on their Way!

Larry's off to Kathmandu to lead his group of over 25 Everest Base Camp trekkers. He's also leading a group of 6 up Lobuche Peak after they reach Base Camp. Tom, Brandon, and Dave will arrive at the end of next week.