Disabled
mountaineer Gary
Guller will attempt to summit Mt. Everest,
the highest mountain in the world at 8,850m,
in Spring 2001. While any attempt at Everest
is one of the greatest challenges one could
undertake, Gary's attempt will be especially
personal. In 1986, Gary suffered a spinal cord
injury in a climbing accident. His neck was
broken and the nerve roots going to his left
arm were pulled out of the spinal cord.
Despite experimental surgery, the paralysis
was irreparable and he made the decision to
have his left arm amputated.
May
12/13 From MT [Mike Trueman]:
The weather remains gloomy, but we are still
positive. Forecasts indicate that the weather
will remain unsuitable until at least 18 May.
There are a number of different weather reports
being received by various teams. Some are
relatively accurate, but others are confusing or
conflicting. Some teams go to bizarre lengths to
keep their reports secret! Ah the "friendly
and caring" community of high altitude
mountaineers!
On
top of this, rumors abound about which team is
going to try on which date for the summit. It is
essential that we stay focused, positive and
relaxed - and most importantly, do our own thing
despite what other teams are doing. Our plan is to
stay at Base Camp until around 17 May. We will
then move to Camp 1, and then to Camp 2 where we
will wait for an opportunity. We have until the 27
May to reach the summit.
From
Gary:
The weather today showed us some sunshine, which
definitely improved our attitudes. We are remaining
really focused on the next few days, seeing what the
gods will bring in the way of our future plans. All
are healthy and we are really trying to keep our
direction. Rich and Erica, members of the Everest
support trek, arrived into base camp today and both
are doing well. All of our Sherpa are now down from
Camp 2 except for our faithful C2 cook Jit who is
minding the fort higher up. We will learn, watch and
listen over the next couple of days before making our
assault. As a team, we are tight, waiting now only for
the safest and most practical time to make our move.
We still feel that the summit is within our reach and
feeling better today as to our plan.
