Now the Fun Begins

Lobuche Summit Pic

Here is a pic of the team at the top of Lobuche.  They made it down to the tea house and Dave texted me that they might be able to chopper back to EBC.  Pretty soon after than he said the chopper would actually not be able to land because of weather so they would be trekking back up.  In true Everest fashion, about 10 minutes later I got a text that said- "on the chopper." Things change so quickly there! 

 

 

Unfortunately Tom experienced the tooth issues that sometimes come with high altitude climbing.  I don't know why but EVERY time Dave climbs he has issues with broken teeth, teeth needing a root canal etc.  One time a tooth ache almost kept him from a summit.  Last year, he had 2 root canals just before leaving because they were SLIGHTLY bugging him and he didn't want to chance it.  Tom lost this crown, hopefully it's not bugging him too much!

 

They got back to base camp and Dave said they had the best meal he has ever had on Everest which is awesome.  This year, he made sure they would get some good food and maybe a little more protein.  After last year, his toenails all grew white lines in them- which apparently is a side effect of a sudden drastic change in diet, specifically lack of protein.  Crazy stuff.

I loved what Dan said on his Facebook page, it helps us get a glimpse into what they are experiencing there:

"Life here is difficult but we have amenities to make us comfortable. For example, all four of us each have a 3-person tent, equipped with a mattress, pillow and camp chair. The tent is so big I am able to stand in it. We have our own dining hall, with a space heater, charging station and artificial grass floor. We have a shower, which I used today! I am now clean, clean shaven and walking around in civilian clothes. We have huge days ahead, but these comforts help us physically and mentally."

 

Today, the guys had their "Puja Ceremony."  In their words:

We completed our Puja ceremony this morning, a rite a passage for every climber on Everest in order to proceed.

The holy Lama blesses for safe travel, success, and health. We then throw wheat flour, receive a necklace from the Lama that we wear throughout the expedition. 

Tomorrow well test the Khumbu Icefall before taking our 2nd acclimitization rotation, this time to Camp 3.

So... tomorrow the fun begins.  The first steps into the icefall.  Now is the time to start praying :) They will most likely rest on Friday then do a rotation of going to camp 1, camp 2, "touch" camp 3 and then back down.  The whole thing will take about 5 days. 

This is the time period where I had a very small breakdown last year (ok, maybe not so small haha.) Dave didn't have a way to communicate with me for about 4 days (no wifi and he wasn't carrying a GPS device), he was super sick and I was getting some distressing intel from the guide and other group member's wives.  Everything turned out fine and we all learned some great lessons.... like never climb without a GPS texting device unless you want a crazy wife.  Also, don't accidentally omit information about being deathly ill to your wife (although he probably still would.)

Once again, this time is seeming much easier for me and the girls (I hope the other climber's families are feeling the same!)  Hopefully the weather keeps cooperating and they get a good window in about 2 weeks (give or take.)  Still a ways to go but feels good to be almost half way!

-Tiffany