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.

Note it sounds like the team is having communications problems; but they are not very far yet as you can see, hopefully they will get it worked out soon...

Dispatch: Tele Dreamin': Today we rested after our attempt yesterday of Tele peak, a 6300 meter mountain that we wanted to climb and descend. I say attempt because we were not even half way to the BASE of the peak when we realized our predicament. We did not have bivuac gear (tent/stove/sleeping bags/pads), because we thought little tele peak would be an easy day, with us arriving triumphantly back in camp well before dark. The three hours it took to navigate the first of three glacier crossings left us amazed at their chaotic beauty but determined to continue for another hour, until we realized the futility of our situation. Eric fortunately had the foresight to wand the glacier so that our return journey was completed in half the time.

With the sun shining and Chomolungma looking favorably upon us from far above, we took advantage of the fine weather with a much needed washing.

It is alternately raining and snowing as I write. On the next clear morning we plan to climb Changzheng Peak, 6977 meters.  Changzheng Peak is part of the ridge from Bei Peak or Changtse at 7583 meters down to the splitting of the Central and East Rongbuk Glaciers at 5386 meters. It is accessible directly out of ABC where we have already hiked half way up the face on an earlier outing. We plan on bringing our ski and snowboard gear for some turns along the ridge and down the face but must be careful not to go too far down the glacier as it ends in a hanging serac.

This is about when we realized the futility of our situation and turned around with 'Tele' peak still hours away.

Caption: Stephen enjoying his favorite form of acclimatization

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

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   Lekisport

   Lowepro

   Motorola

   Nalgene

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   Nikwax

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   Outdoor Designs

   Pelican

   PowerBar

   Princeton Tec

   Prescription Glacier

   Glasses

   Primus

   Rope Bags

   Seattle Sports

   Serius
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   Stubai

   Suunto

   Tents

   Trekking Poles
   Ushba
   and more here