Adventures International Everest dispatch Index

Everest 2002 Expedition Report April 11th, 2002: A great day here at Base Camp. We left early yesterday for our first trip up through the icefall to Camp 1 at around 20,000 ft. It was a long day as Camp 1 is 2500 ft. above base camp with a difficult approach

April 12th, 2002: Still at base camp. After a couple solid days of rest, we plan to leave for Camp 1 early tomorrow morning. We’ll spend 2 nights at 20,400 ft., with a climb up to Camp 2 for the day at 21,400 ft. Our whole group is feeling good to go so we’re off.

Everest 2002 Expedition Report April 16th, 2002

Everest 2002 Expedition Report April 18th, 2002

Everest 2002 Expedition Report April 23rd, 2002: Spent our 2nd night at Camp 2 at 21,400 ft. The weather has been fairly stormy with over 1 ft of new snowfall overnight. Lines have been fixed to Camp 3. Although there was too much new snow on the Lhotse face to go up today, we took a short walk near the base... Click for the full dispatch.

Everest 2002 Expedition Report April 25th, 2002: We have just returned to Basecamp from Camp 2 this morning. The four members of our group, plus one from Willie’s team, came down for a few days of well deserved R&R. It was a long stay up high, 6 days and 5 nights above Basecamp...Click for the full dispatch.

Everest 2002 Expedition Report April 30th, 2002: Everest Base Camp: A long windy night here at Base Camp. A sad lull has descended over the mountain as news drifts in over the radios concerning a fatal accident on the Lhotse face just this morning. We'll keep everyone updated as more definite news is available. We would like everyone to know that our group, Adventures International, and Willie Benegas part of the Alpine 8000 group is fine. We are all safe at base camp. We would also like to express our sorry and condolences to all the friends and family of the lost climber.... Click for the full dispatch.

Everest 2002 Expedition Report April 28th, 2002: Well the snow has settled after a storm blew in higher on the mountain the day before yesterday. Many tents up at Camp 2 were blown down, destroyed or taken down in high winds. Several other tents are gone at Camp 3. Most teams have already recovered and are back at it... Click for the full dispatch.

Everest 2002 Expedition Report April 29th, 2002: Well we’re stuck in BC another day. Heavy snow is covering the mountain, so we are effectively stopped for the moment. We had planned to move to Camp 2 today, then onto Camp 3 after a rest day for our last acclimatization trip up before the summit. Hopefully we'll have some good weather tomorrow. The Sherpas are all down except for 2 who remain in Camp 2 watching camp. Yesterday Phenden and Pemba were successful in fixing lines up near the Yellow band above Camp 3. So the route is almost in now to the South Col. We hope to be up there (Camp 3) in a few days... Click for the full dispatch.

Everest 2002 Expedition Report May 2nd, 2002: We’re all tucked in here at Camp 2, getting ready to go up to Camp 3 at over 23,500 ft. tomorrow for a couple nights. This is our final acclimatization trip before the summit attempt. After this we’ll go back down for a good long rest after spending over 12 nights above base camp. Click for the full dispatch.

Everest 2002 Expedition Report May 4th, 2002: We’re resting at Camp 3 today, after coming up the fixed lines of the Lhotse Face. It was a great effort by all moving from Camp 2 to Camp 3, a physical and dangerous climb. Fortunately we’ve had some good weather to move about in: calm and clear with great views. Camp 3 is spectacularly perched right in the middle of the Lhotse face... Click for the full dispatch.

Everest 2002 Expedition Report May 6th, 2002: Whew! We’re back in Basecamp after a long trip up high. Jason, Jack and I just returned from Camp 3 at almost 24,000 ft. after spending 2 nights there. It was great trip up, with good weather and everyone moving well. We all feel tired, but well acclimatized. Now we’re ready to focus on the summit! Click for the full dispatch.

Everest 2002 Expedition Report May 8th, 2002: Our team is all down now recovering from being up high for awhile. The low altitude air here at Basecamp (17,500 ft) feels great. Our Sherpa team finished putting in our Camp 4 at the South Col yesterday, so everything is ready for our summit attempt. Just need some recovery time before going up high again. Our Sherpas will be down today and also need a well deserved rest. They normally take 5 or more days off before we all start back for the summit push. Click for the full dispatch.

Everest 2002 Expedition Report May 13th, 2002: We’re on our way to the top! Jason, Jack & I just moved up to Camp 2 today with the Sherpa team. We’re all in good spirits and super energized after three rest days at lower altitude in Dingboche. Click for the full dispatch.

Everest 2002 Expedition Report May 14th, 2002: Willie, Robert, Jack, Jason and I just reached Camp 3. Maria is not far behind, hiking up with one of the Sherpas. Everyone is in great spirits and enjoying perfect weather up here. The sun is shining and it's actually hot, not even a breath of wind. Click for the full dispatch.

Everest 2002 Expedition Report May 15th, 2002 2:15PM Nepal

We left Camp 3 at 6:20 am. The hike up from Camp 3 to Camp 4 on the South Col took about 6 ½ hours. The route is very steep, 60 degrees for much of it. We all used bottled oxygen for most of the climb. Our group was the first in line this morning, but you should see the line now! There are about 80 people on the fixed line heading to the South Col including the Sherpas. Camp 4 will be packed when everyone arrives! Click for the full dispatch.

We have received word from two sources that Scott Woolums and Willie Benegas has reached the Summit of Everest. The source close to the team also reports that Jason Rodi of Canada summited with Scott at 10:45 AM Nepal time today the 16th of May. Click for the full dispatch.

Adventures International The Summit report

Everest 2002 Expedition Report May 17th, 2002

May 18th, 2002: Base Camp, Mt. Everest: Yahoo! Were all back safe in base camp after a successful climb of Mt. Everest. Everyone is very excited and the feeling in base camp is total euphoria after 54 climbers from several different teams summited on the 16th of May. Click for the full dispatch.