Everest 2003: Ben Clark
Dispatch

Dispatch 39: Two updates below...

This is an update on Ben Clark Expedition

May 20 11:22 AM CST Tennessee; May 21 12:22 AM Everest, Tibet

Jerry, I'm sitting in my tent, it's 11:30pm my time (Tibet) and I'm just about to send out a new dispatch. We were able to get in contact with Lhawang and he said they are at 7900, camping for the night. Tomorrow they will walk up to 8300 and spend the last night before the summit on the 22nd. The weather report we have says that the lower winds should stick around until the 24th or so, which is good, because I've got friends up there looking to avoid the crowds of the 21-22. In fact, they (some Russians) had just left for ABC this morning. The radio contact today was not great since there was quite a bit of cloud cover that was bouncing the signal around. The last few nights have been very cloudy as well, but tonight is totally clear....let's hope it holds. This evening our cook, Dawa, contacted Ben's other sherpa, Lakpa, and he said that Ben was sleeping after eating dinner. This was about 7pm Tibet time. So, he's eating and getting rest...sounds positive. I'm planning on hooking my camera up to the British spotting scope and parking it on the 2nd step on the 22nd. Hopefully I can catch Ben in action.

Anyway, make sure you two get some rest in the next couple of days, I know this must be nerve-racking for you. Just like I know I've been in your thoughts recently, you are also in mine. It's not easy being parents when Everest is added to the mix!

Also, one of our other climbers, Andre from Belgium, and his sherpa came down from ABC today. Boca Lama says that Ben is doing really well and that just adds to the general "Ben" consensus. The boy is really strong even if he says, himself, that he's slow above 7000. And understand that Boca Lama has stood on top of Everest FIVE times. So, he's a good judge.

Take care and I'll be in touch with any new info. Jon

Next Update: Everyone, Jon Miller here.

I have not been able to reach Ben, himself, by radio, but we have contacted both of Ben's Sherpas.

Here is all of what I know: Ben left Advanced Base Camp (ABC) two days ago and spent the first night at the North Col. Today he climbed up to 7,900 meters. This is the location of camp 5. Our Base Camp cook, Dawa has been really persistent with the portable radio and after walking all over the moraine looking for the best reception, he was able to get a garbled message from Ben's head Sherpa, Lhawang. Dawa told me that what he heard were the words "Doing fine" and "strong winds" and "we're at 7-9, 7-9". So, over lunch Dawa and I cleverly deduced that the group was doing fine in strong winds at 7,900 meters, Camp 5.

Like I said, Dawa is persistent and was able to contact the group one more time, at 7pm tonight. This time he reached Ben's other Sherpa, Lhakpa who said that both Ben and Lhawang were sleeping after just eating dinner in their tent. That's very positive information. Up at these altitudes it is both difficult to eat and sleep. This just goes to show that Ben's still doing well, health wise.

If all goes according to schedule, tomorrow (Wednesday) the team will climb up to 8300, Camp 6, and then leave for the summit around midnight on the 22nd. Remember, it will be the middle of the 21st back in America when Ben leaves for the summit. I'll do my best to keep the emails coming as often as I receive each new piece of info.

Although we have been experiencing bad weather, the window of good weather looks like it will hold until the 24th. Mother Nature is right on track.

Of course, if I do reach Ben by radio, I'll send the audio your way.

I'm off to bed, you will all hear from me tomorrow, Jon Miller

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