Everest South Side Expedition: American Commemorative Expedition

 Current Nepal Time

Dispatch: Final Preparations and Summit Plan: May 9, 2003

Well the team is in the last stages of preparation for the summit push. The Sherpas have two more days of load carrying to Camp 4 and then they will come down to Base Camp and rest for two days.

The team has made arrangements to receive a reliable weather forecast every couple of days. This forecast will be used to figure out a clear weather window for the summit bid. The tentative plan is to look for a summit bid somewhere around the 16th to the 20th, hopefully in conjunction with the full moon. We'll see if the weather gods are on our side for these dates. Right now we are experiencing slightly colder than normal temperatures. Normally this time of year the nighttime temperatures in Base Camp are around 20 degrees. The last couple of nights the temperatures have been around 8 to 12 degrees.

It will take the team a total of six days round trip from Base Camp to do the summit push. The climbing plan will be: one night at Camp 1, two nights at Camp 2, one night at Camp 3, arrive at Camp 4 at noon, rest until 9 p.m. and then head for the summit, return to Camp 4 and spend the night, descend to Camp 2 for the night and then descend back to Base Camp.

The team members spent the morning finalizing equipment needs. Oxygen masks were tried on to find the best fit. Regulators and oxygen bottles were experimented with to get familiar with the system and make sure all components are working properly. Fresh batteries were handed out for headlamps and radios.

Now we just wait for good weather. -Dan Smith

Dispatches