Everest 2003: Ben Clark
Dispatch

Dispatch: Hello everyone! After a short lapse in coverage (there really wasn't anything to report...just sitting around being anxious) I'm back with some new information.

After a radio call placed last evening by one of our Sherpas, Boca Lama, Ben was at Camp 6. I missed the call...I was at another camp and in the excitement failed to say which one so I could not be found by the guys here. According to Boca, Lhawang said that they had just had something hot to drink and that Ben was fast asleep wearing his oxygen regulator. Camp 6 is at 8,300 meters and this is at an altitude that only commercial jets fly in.

So, the information that they were all in oxygen gear is really positive, because it means that they will remain strong for their summit push today. This morning has been very clear, the Mountain has been shining in the bright sun, but clouds are beginning to roll inn over the summit. Not to worry, if the plan has held, then Ben & Co. have been walking for many hours up the long North East Ridge towards the summit. It's always hard to tell about these things, but if the schedule is held, then they could summit from anywhere between now and the next 2 or 3 hours. Again, as I've always told you, this is at best speculation. However, there were actually quite a few climbers who were able to summit yesterday (including Boca Lama's younger brother, with the HMI team from India!). Most of them summitted within a band of hours in the late morning, so we can figure it will be a similar situation today.

That's all the info I have at this moment. Stay tuned! Jon

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