Dispatch 21: Advanced Basecamp

Rongbuk Glacier October 8, 2001

As of yesterday, Oct. 7, we have ended any further attempts to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. Our highest point achieved was just over 26,000 feet.

It is a bitter disappointment that we are suspending any further efforts. But after two weeks of high winds, winter storms and living at 21,000 feet and above, we have exhausted our available time and have completely exhausted our bodies, as well.

Chomolungma, the Tibetan Goddess Mother of the Winds and Universe, has turned us away. That she has allowed us to leave with our lives is an enriched gift.

It is still my dream to become the first double amputee to scale this mountain — perhaps at another time and another opportunity.

My thanks to all the people at home in Minnesota who have kept us in their thoughts and prayers during the two months that we have been here in Tibet attempting to climb Mt. Everest.

We thank you very much. I look forward to getting home and seeing all the people that I miss so dearly.

We are out of here at Everest.

--Ed Hommer

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