Snowboard Everest Autumn 2003

Stephen Koch and Jimmy Chin will attempt to snowboard Everest this Autumn. They plan to climb Everest via the Hornbein route and then descend via the Hornbein. They will travel from Kathmandu to Lhasa then to Everest base camp on the North (Chinese).  Eric Henderson is the base camp manager.

Dispatch Two: After six days in Kathmandu, we are finally leaving for Tibet, China. The past six days have been filled with a patch work of tasks. Together as a team we have explored the religious make up of Kathmandu, ridden in countless rickshaws down unknown streets, and pushed the limits of our bellies. Only one case of the Mandu belly to date.

Kathmandu is a place of peace and organized chaos. Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and Christians living together in a well balanced state of harmony. As one walks down the street it is hard not to become captivated by chanting monks, swirling incense and loud ass car horns. This morning as the city awoke we met with Lama Thulkhu, a seventh generation reincarnated Lama, who blessed our team. He performed a puja on our prayer flags and gave us all a personal blessing. We are ready for the next stage of the journey.

As the cook on this expedition my days have been filled with wandering down mysterious streets looking for the best shops, with the best products. Lakpa Sherpa and I have been packing  two months worth of food and supplies. Plus enough kitchen supplies to run a small noodle house in Victor, Idaho. Everything is packed and ready to be loaded into the land cruisers.

Stephen shopping

We were ready for departure two days ago, but there is always something that comes up. In this case it was a hold up with the Chinese visas for our two new teammates. Kami Sherpa and Lakba Sherpa who are both veteran Everest summiters, with a wealth of knowledge. They will be helping out at basecamp. We now have the visas, and plan on leaving in the morning light.

Kathmandu has been wonderful but this not why we are here. The team is ready for our five day acclimatization drive through the Tibetan landscape, and eager to get into the big mountains.  Stand by for our next few days of yak tea, and slow climb to elevation.

Dispatches

Pictures copyright Stephen Koch' Autumn Everest 2003 expedition

  Altitude pre-
   acclimatization

   Ascenders

   Atlas snowshoes

   Black Diamond

   Botas

   Brunton

   Carabiners

   CaVa Climbing Shoes
   Clearance

   Clif Bar

   CMI

   Crampons

   Edelweiss ropes
   Eureka Tents

   Featured

   FoxRiver

   Garmin

   Granite Gear

   Harnesses
   Headlamps
   Helmets

   HighGear
   Ice Axes

   Kavu Eyewear

   Katadyn

   Kong

   Lekisport

   Lowepro

   Motorola

   Nalgene

   New England Ropes

   Nikwax

   Omega

   Outdoor Designs

   Pelican

   PowerBar

   Princeton Tec

   Prescription Glacier

   Glasses

   Primus

   Rope Bags

   Seattle Sports

   Serius
   Sleeping Bags

   Stubai

   Suunto

   Tents

   Trekking Poles
   Ushba
   and more here