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Manaslu 2003: Jeff Justman Dispatches: March
24-25
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Manaslu, at 8163 meters, is the eighth highest
peak in the world. It is located in the
west-central part of Nepal, and our team will
climb it by the original route. |
March 24, 2003 Jeff
Justman Manaslu Dispatch The Disaster
Maybe I am being a
bit melodramatic but personally the trek in has been a
disaster! Everything that I own that is technological
is broken!
First my camera
broke. When I say, broke, I mean, Broke! How you
may ask? I have no idea! Then my headlamp broke, but
it has been resurrected. Next the recharging unit for
the Satellite phone has decided on its own will not to
work. So I am going to try to conserve the batteries
so I can provide an occasional update. However, if you
dont hear any news from me, you have an idea why. And
last but not least, the digital video camera that Win
Whittaker graciously loaned to me is, guess what,
thats right, not working!
I have decided to do
what every high altitude mountaineer would do and just
let go of all the minor inconveniences and concentrate
on the main goal which is safely climbing Manaslu, the
8th highest peak in the world!
For all the friends
and family of the Manaslu team member, there might not
be as much communication as you or we would like.
However, we all need to remember the saying, No news
is good news!
Ciao- JJ
March 25, 2003 Jeff
Justman Dispatch The Team gains their first view of
Manaslu from the village of Sama!
Like all Himalayan
Peaks, Manaslu is extremely impressive! The team will
be lounging in Sama for a few days to acclimatize. We
are a day from Base Camp which sits at 16, 000 ft.
The report from the
villagers in the area is that there is a bit less snow
than last year. We are in no rush. We want to make
sure, the best we can, that there is minimal avalanche
danger. So we will most likely arrive in Base Camp to
rest and relax for sometime before we begin
establishing Camp 1 at 19,000 ft.
Ciao for now!
Hopefully we will talk again soon! Jeff Justman
March 25, 2003
Phone conversation with JJ from Sama!
The Manaslu group is
at 12,000 ft. The weather is still a bit unstable.
Outside of all the technological failings, all is
well. The group is doing well and is excited to reach
Base Camp. JJ
 Dispatches
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