|
Adrian
is sticking to his original plan of not using any
oxygen and is confident he will make the right
decisions concerning his plan. Jim and Scott have
purchased four bottles of oxygen each and plan to use
it only from High Camp on summit attempts. This and
their remaining fuel supplies are to be delivered on
the 19th. Jim and Scott have modified their original
plan, but this bit of flexibility on their first
Everest climb provides them a safer plan and one that
will give them a better chance of success.
The
15th and 16th will be devoted to acclimating hikes and
resting. The 17th will be spent organizing gear for
the yak and on the 18th the team departs for ABC, with
one planned overnight stop at an interim camp.
Everything seems to be working out quite well and the
team is very happy with no group personality problems.
Base camp is crowded with Tibetans right now as they
prepare for the push to ABC. All the yak wear bells
that chime through the night.
On
a personal note: Scott wishes to thank all those who
have made this trip possible for him, including his
mother and father, sister and close friends who have
always offered him their utmost support in his
climbing endeavors and, of course, his fiancée, who
labored many hours helping him get ready for this
massive endeavor. "It has been the emotional
support you have given me through the years that has
given me the courage and strength to undertake such a
feat as climbing to the top of the world. I hope you
are able to follow our progress as we report it and I
want all of you to know how much I love and appreciate
you." The entire team is also very grateful to
all of their sponsors.
 Dispatches
|
