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Dhaulagiri
Expedition 2002
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| Monday,
April 15, 2002: We have just arrived at
basecamp. It has been an extremely challenging
journey so far; deep snow and high steep
terrain have been slowing our progress.
Fortunately for the expedition, we are working
with some of the toughest porters I have ever
seen. They are all from the Makalu region and
related to Bhoka Llama who was part of our
kitchen staff on the first American Team
ascent of Kanchenjunga in 1989. Pasang,
Bhoka's younger brother, is one of our
climbing Sherpa. Some of the young strong
Sherpa carried 81kg (180lbs.) double loads
over the 17000 ft. French Pass. The team is
settling in to basecamp today. We are building
tent platforms and the stone stupa for the
Puja. It is by far the most awe-inspiring
basecamp I have ever visited and we have the
whole place to ourselves. That is pretty rare
in this day and age. Our route options at this
point in time are either the more popular
North East Ridge or the North West Ridge.
Lahkpa Nuru, one of our team members, made the
summit via the North West ridge in 1998 with a
Japanese team. Lots to think about and
investigate, this is one of the true beauties
of mountaineering. No route work will start
until our Puja, a religious ceremony asking
the deities for blessing on a safe successful
climb. I'm proud to report everyone is
healthy, happy, and ready to go. Robert Link
Expedition Leader |
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| Wednesday,
April 17, 2002: Our
Himalayan adventure is nearly 4 weeks old,
though relatively uneventful, much has
occurred. The team has come together nicely.
Each team member seems to have found his or
her role and the experience of building
camps has run like clockwork. Knowing that
we will become an evermore-cohesive unit, we
look forward to being tested together on the
mountain. Over the past month there have
been many moments of total emotional
connectedness amongst the team, including;
the Buddhist Puja/prayer ceremonies in
Pokhara and Marpha, the morning the trekkers
turned for home, and the day that our
porters dropped their final loads and bid us
farewell and "good success".
Perhaps the moment, which had the most
profound affect on us all, was passing over
the French Col, rising to the height of
17,000' and marking the beginning of our
descent into basecamp. At it's crest the
team was struck by Dhaulagiri's grandeur and
breathtaking beauty. Although occasional
glimpses and numerous photographs of the
mountain were gazed upon by all previously,
our preconceptions were dwarfed by its
immediate physical presence. We dropped our
packs and sat down on the pass, awestruck! |
Basecamp,
now established, has become a remarkable
"little willage". Surrounded by a
massive natural amphitheatre of rock and ice, our
new home rests at 15,000' beneath Dhaulagiri's
north face. Having had time to reflect in this
magical place, we find ourselves feeling
incredibly fortunate and grateful to those who
have made this experience possible. Unprecedented
strength and heartfelt smiles on behalf of Nomad
expeditions climbing Sherpa, porters and kitchen
staff have gained our utmost respect. As for
Mountain Link, there is no comparison. From top to
bottom they have proven to be organized,
knowledgeable, strong, and patient. Most of all,
we are grateful to our family and friends without
whose support, this dream could not have come
true. With Deepest Gratitude- Adam, David and Andy
 Dispatches
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Lhawang
and Lama Zongbu leading the Puja for protection
and safety while climbing on Dhaulagiri.
Photo: Jeff Justman
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