And Now We Wait

Thought we could all use a laugh this morning :)

I wish I had great news today.

I wish I had more information.

I wish I could talk to Dave...

but... none of those things are happening right now.  It has been a roller coaster of highs and lows the last 24 hours, although I'm sure nothing compared to what those four courageous, strong and determined climbers are feeling.  At this point, we know the guys made it safely back to Camp 2 this afternoon.  For those of you following the tracker back to Base Camp, Brandon headed down to basecamp but the other 3 remain at C2 for now.  We are not exactly sure if Brandon is heading out for good or if there is a chance he might go back up.  Communication is sparse right now.  He had decided beforehand that if this attempt didn't work out, he would be heading back home.

Lhakpa said to us last night that the forecasts have been very confusing.  He had 3 different sources that gave that small summit window.  He was glad they got the message to turn around since safety is the number one priority.  It turns out the guys were at about 28,700 feet when they had to turn around.  That has got to be agonizing being at that point and not being able to continue.  However, a decision that most likely saved their fingers, toes and even their lives.

For now, we wait.  Supposedly there is a somewhat longer and more stable weather window coming up around the 22nd.  From what we can tell, everyone else is planning on the same forecast and the crowds will be assembling at camp 2 shortly.  I know they were relieved to be able to attempt the summit with low crowds so they could move quick and not be in danger of bottlenecks.  That timeframe has now closed.  If the guys are able to recover and feel ready they will have the opportunity to try again.  I'm sure it is an extremely difficult decision.  Luckily they have a few days to rest and decide at Camp 2.  They can send more supplies and oxygen should they want to continue.  I'm not sure we will have any way to track them and base camp (where Lhakpa is running the operations) has spotty internet so this might be a pretty long week with sparse communication.  Please continue to pray for their safety, clarity, strength and another shot if that is feasible.

I will leave you with a thought by Teddy Roosevelt that my friend Ryan left on my Facebook page:

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. 

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

As always, thanks for all of the support.  All of the families feel very blessed to be surrounded by so much concern and love right now.  Hope to have more info tomorrow!