Everest South Side Expedition: American Commemorative Expedition

 Current Nepal Time

Waiting in Kathmandu: June 4, 2003

The weather here in Kathmandu is warm and muggy, building up to the monsoon season which will be here shortly. All of the expedition team members have returned from the mountain, and are starting to head home to friends and loved ones.

Bob Hoffman continues to go to the CIWEC Clinic daily for treatment of his frostbite injuries. His hands are better, but the verdict on his feet is still up in the air. It is a very slow healing process.

The team members who were still in Kathmandu last night gathered at the famous climbing bar, the Rum Doodle, for a dinner and the tradition of those who have reached the summit of Mt. Everest to sign the “Everest Summitteer’s Board” Amid cheers and good will, Apa Sherpa signed the board to commemorate his 13th successful summit! He was followed by Tom Burch, Brian O’Connor, and finally Bob Hoffman. Bob was allowed to sign one of the older boards in a space close to the signature of his good friend and climbing partner Sherman Bull, who summitted in May, 2001. Mimi Vadasz, who also reached the summit on May 26th, will sign the board when she returns to Kathmandu with her family in October.

After an Everest expedition, there is a lot of work remaining to do in Kathmandu to wrap everything up. The Nepali Ministry of Tourism requires written reports, the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Board needs proof of responsible environmental conduct before refunding the bond that is required of each team when they are granted a climbing permit. Every oxygen bottle that was brought into the country must be accounted for and shipped back out, hazardous waste (such as batteries and spent fuel canisters) must also be exported since Nepal has no facilities for recycling. The Sherpas need to be paid for their hard and loyal service to the team members.

Unfortunately, the helicopter loaded with the team equipment, recovered trash, oxygen bottles, fuel canisters – as well as the team Sherpas, has been delayed in the Khumbu due to bad weather. So Bob, Alison and I wait here in Kathmandu for the helicopter to arrive.

Maybe tomorrow…. Stay tuned! -Sue Hoffman

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