Mt. Everest: Dave Hahn Checks in from Pheriche
Posted by: Dave Hahn, JJ Justman, Billy Nugent, Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest
Elevation: 13,950'
Our last night in base was made dramatic by a lightning storm rolling through. A few inches of snow fell thick and fast, making morning, bright, fresh and beautiful. At 11:15 AM we filed out of the ghost town that Mount Everest Basecamp has become. The climbing team, accompanied by Lam Babu, made good time in losing three and a half thousand feet to reach Pheriche in four hours and forty-five minutes. We each paid Everest's summit a couple of last longing looks during the march, but then paid more attention to the task at hand; walking an uneven, slippery mountain trail while dodging trekkers, yaks and porters. The gang stuck together wonderfully, demonstrating what a close knit and fit climbing team we've become. With each village on the descent, through Gorak Shep, Lobuche and Thukla, we each noticed the thicker and easier air. We coughed less and walked faster. All enjoyed seeing the baby yaks trying out their legs on our homestretch into Pheriche. Tonight, we are indoors again... safe, enjoying each other's company, and quite comfortable. We hope things are going well for Mark Tucker and the bulk of our Sherpa Team, back at EBC for a last couple of days to button things up properly.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
On The Map
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Comments (5)
What a pitiful attitude Bob has!! Wishing your team a safe journey back home. That is very admirable for Mark to have stayed back with the Sherpa team! Again it says a lot about the quality of a team you all are!! God Bless each and everyone of you!!!!! Tammy
Posted by: Tammy Doppenberg on
Oh Spen,
Tuesday’s not gone. There’s a lifetime of Tuesdays left for you. That mountain is not going anywhere. You’re young and strong and we got your back. Love you, Weasel,
Momma
Posted by: jan pipkin on
So glad you all are coming home! Love you all… Safe trip back.
Posted by: Lisa taddeo on
climbers? you have not climbed anythig. You were trekkers too - except your trek was a very expensive one ;-)
Posted by: Bob Brendt on
I’m proud of your group for making what I think it the right decision to leave the mountain this year in honor of the fallen serpas. I strongly believe that people climbing the mountain need to be responsible for more of their own responsibilities and that if someone needs to be carried to the top by a sherpa, they should not be allowed to go. I’m also happy to see that a member of your team other than the sherpas is remaining at camp to clear up loose ends. I also believe an expedition member should always be with sherpas on any duties they are doing for the benefit of climbers.
Posted by: Dorothy Wells on