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NEWSFLASH: 5/25/99 Report 6:24PM EST

• Everest Spring 99 South Side:  EverestNews.com received an unconfirmed report that Tom, Tina, Hugo and Carlos were at the Balcony all together. 

• Michael Strynoe: "This is so sad! Michael had left South Col, but was soon  forced to go back. He felt ill and thinks he caught a cold or some other virus... He felt stiff in the neck. You can't climb Everest in this condition, and certainly not without supplemental oxygen. However, it's a wise (and difficult) decision - there will be there another day. Let's hope Michael will try again next year..." Jesper. For Scandinavian people, check out: http://sporten.tv2.dk/everest

NEWSFLASH: 5/25/99 Report 1:45PM EST

• No news from Danish climber Michael Strynoe yet...
• North Side bits and pieces are coming in about several climbers who attempted high camp in the last few weeks. EverestNews.com will attempt to re-cap the North Side in June along with the other 8000 meter peaks where we have basically just been reporting the Summits... Look for individual pages per 8000 meter peak with re-caps this summer from EverestNews.com.

Daily News: 5/25/99 Report 11:59 AM EST

• Everest Spring 99 South Side: EverestNews.com will NEWSFLASH the summit attempts all day... See NEWSFLASH below
• Everest Spring 99 North Side: Several climbers are at High camps with Summit attempts expected, but no news of summits from yesterday yet. Only news is that Antti Mankinen is also up there.
• Everest Spring 99 North Side:  Patagonia Mountain Agency:  This is Eric Brown reporting for Patagonia Mountain Agency. I'm in Zhangmu -- which is a border town on the border between Nepal and Tibet. Jacek and I stayed at ABC [Advanced Base Camp] 'til May 23rd to finish packing while everyone else went to Base Camp on May 22nd. ABC is much thinner now. The American expedition has left. In addition to the Swiss, Ukrainians, and the Italians (this was found to be incorrect, at least part of the Italians are still there). The Georgian expedition and Russell Brice's expedition left for the North Col [Camp I] yesterday, and, weather permitting, will attempt the summit May 25th or 26th. On a more somber note, Ryszard made a memorial plaque--out of a flat rock--for Tadek, and we placed it on a rock cairn Ian and I built on the Memorial Hill at Base Camp.
  
  Tomorrow we cross the border and arrive in Kathmandu in the afternoon. The plan is to raid the popular Everest Steakhouse in the evening for steaks, chicken--food [laughter] food closer to America, I hope. Anyway, we'll talk soon with a dispatch from Kathmandu. Check their site for the full dispatch...
• Alan Hinkes Spring Makalu 99 : His page has been updated with details on his successful summit !
• 1999 K2: (also see 5/24/98, report for detail and plans for K2) EverestNews.com has confirmed that Heidi Howkins has cancelled her K2 plans for 1999.
• Lhotse Summits:  Two Man Konishi Hirofumi Lhotse 1999 Expedition of Japan, successfully climbed the summit of Mt. Lhotse (8,516 m) from the West Face on 22nd May.

• Dr. Minoru Doya, 1968, Medical Doctor of Tokyo, Man Bahadur Gurung, aged 35 of Shital Pati, Sankhuwasabha and Phura Chhiri Sherpa, aged 30 of Lokhim Solukhumbu climbed on 22nd May at 1500 hrs. They started the climb from South Col Camp IV at 3 am.

  Leader of the team Mr. Konishi Hirofumi, 1962, climber of Tokyo, Japan will also be making an attempt to climb Mt. Lhotse.

  Source: HIMALAYA Center, Kathmandu, May 23, 1999

NEWSFLASH: 5/25/99 Report 10:45AM EST

• Everest Spring 99 South Side:  Get ready for the all night Summit push Today ! The Danish climber Michael Strynoe will be sending EverestNews.com and his web site reports. (I will be up all night to feed dispatches from Strynoe. He has promised me to stop once in a while (approx. every 2 hours) to relay his position, health, the weather situation and stuff like that. He'll be leaving for the summit soon .. I'll keep you updated as often as I can... Jesper)
• Michael Strynoe: Michael arrived in camp IV South Col, only to see his tent destroyed by the wind. On his previous summit attempt, he didn't manage to take the tent down - but only a few days ago he was told that it was ok... The tent had also taken snow - so everything inside was wet. Michael had to spend 2 hours with hard work to raise the tent and dry everything. Still: The weather is great ... I'll keep you updated. For Scandinavian people, check out: http://sporten.tv2.dk/everest
• More to follow on the Daily News report which will be included sometime here today. (Alan Summits !)

Daily News: 5/24/99 Report 10:51AM EST

• Everest Spring 99 North Side:  EverestNews.com understands the Georgians (see 5/23/99 report) have a 26th Summit target date, look for others to follow.
• Everest Spring 99 South Side: Hi! This is Michael Strynoe from Camp III. There are no clouds up here, but from Camp II and below there is overcast. I can see Cho Oyo - which I summited in 1996 - peek through the clouds. In Base Camp the weather is really bad, but up here there is no wind and the sun is shining. I can actually sit outside the tent in my underwear - and still sweat! The weather is promising - approximately 10-15 knots on summit night. I will leave South Col as early as 8.00PM local time Tuesday the 25th, and I hope to summit Wednesday around 12.00 local time. I feel absolutely great - though I sure could eat a pizza! But I feel much better than I did at my previous attempt, so I'm really optimistic. For Scandinavian people: Follow me on summit night at http://sporten.tv2.dk/everest .
• 1999 K2:

  Dear friends who follow EverestNews.com,

  Get ready! From Jun  1st on EverestNews.com will transmit "K2 on-line", digital photos and information sent daily via satellite from Karakorum. You will follow our expedition step by step, formed  by the Italian Abele Blanc, the Spaniard Pepe Garces and I, the Brazilian Waldemar Niclevicz. Firstly, we are going to face Gasherbrum and Hidden Peak and then, K2. It won't be easy to climb those three mountains, that's why I count on your cheering!

  Before starting my trip, I spent three days in Bolivia. The weather was  terrific and I could climb three beautiful mountains: Tarija (5,060m), Pequeno Alpamayo (5,370m) and Condoriri (5,648m). Those mountains are located near La Paz,   on the called Cordillera Real in Bolivian Andes. It was a pity I couldn't stay longer, but I believe that  those few days have been enough  to alert my organism that I'll reach higher altitudes.

  And now, my friends, I've already got my suitcases ready ( I mean, backpacks) to K2! I 'm starting my long trip on May 23rd, leaving Brazil to Italy   where I'll meet Abele Blanc. Together we're going  to do the last   shopping and on May 30th we'll leave to Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. We'll meet Pepe Garces there.

  Waldemar Niclevicz

  Attention: From Jun  1st on "K2 on-line" will start, with digital photos and daily information, sent via satellite directly from Pakistan.

  Project K2 is sponsored by O BOTICΑRIO, IRIDIUM AND MATTE LEΓO.

  Visit Waldemar Niclevicz's site www.sagarmatha.com.br

NEWSFLASH: 5/23/99 Report 4:05PM EST

• Everest Spring 99 South Side: Get ready for the all night Summit push on Tuesday ! Danish climber Michael Strynoe will be sending EverestNews.com his web site reports. EverestNews.com will stay with You for the whole time. They are expecting to leave camp 4 at 8:00pm (Tuesday Morning US Time) with Michael going first (of the western climbers). We have five-six western climbers plus 6-8 Sherpa climbers attempting. Robert Model has been reported at Camp 3 but also has been reported to be planning on coming down. We will know more soon.
• Everest Spring 99 North Side: We also expect several attempts on the North Side. This information will be much harder to obtain...
• Lhotse Summits (Old News) : by the Japanese Expedition has been reported to EverestNews.com but we not yet confirmed by official sources in Nepal.

Daily News: 5/23/99 Report 1:38 PM EST

• Everest Spring 99 North Side:  Very Brief Summary:

Only two commercial expeditions this year: The Americans and the Himalayan Experience Expedition. Ten Summits known to date, with little news the last two days. Three climbers have died descending from the North Side this year. The weather has been very unstable with afternoon storms on all four of the Summit days. The amount of fixed (new) ropes appears much less than 98. Still unclear how many new ropes have been fixed this year. Climbers are reporting descending on old ropes. It will be interesting if Sherpa climbers or others fix more of the route. But it is now May 23th... All expeditions shown in tables are lead by or organized by Asian-Trekking.

• Everest International Expedition 1999: Leader Pascal Debrouwer (Belgian), (Summit, died on the descent), Joao Garcia (Portugal) Organizer (Summit, reported back at BC), Alain Hubert (Belgian) 5th try on Everest; Luc Fontyn (Belgian), Jean- Marc Monterisi (Belgian); Vincent Protopopoff  (French) his goal, try by Hornbein couloir; Paulo Coelho (Brazilian); Helena Coelho (Brazilian) wife of Paulo; Tamang Man Ram Nepalese High altitude porter; Cook Lakpa Nepalese; Cook Tenzing Nepalese From Langtang.  There is talk of some members here still attempting the Summit .... but it would seem unlikely.

• Polish International Everest Expedition Spring 1999

Pavle Milosevicz from Yugoslavia did not make it to Everest as planned. The Polish Expedition is expected to leave BC.

• Asian-Trekking North Side 99 Expedition Aka, International expedition (organized by Asian Trekking agency) - Everest from North - leader Gia Tortladze, Deputy Leader Fred Barth (American). This is a huge expedition and is broken down into groups.

Various members of this expedition (mainly Georgian and Sherpas), has been at high camp several times and have assisted  others when they needed help. It is unclear if any has actually attempted the Summit. We were notified they were planning a 22-24th summit window, but have no additional news...

They are a very interesting group because they have significant Sherpa support (including the great climber Appa (or Apa) Sherpa who has reached the Summit of Everest nine times) to fix additional ropes...

• International Everest Expedition 99 Spring, (2nd group), organized by  Zelenograd mountaineering club and Asian-Trekking ) - Everest from the North by the North ridge - leader Skripko Viacheslav (Russia) and Dimitrov Borislav (Bulgaria). Look for news on Risk.
• Geneva Everest Expedition Spring 99 : A Swiss/French expedition Stephane Schaffter leader, with 10 climbers plus Sherpa (supported by Asian-Trekking) including climber Steve Haston and Laurence H. Goualt; This group is interesting because of some of the members...

• Indian Everest Millennium Expedition 99 Spring Kangshung Face; This group was reported moving up several days ago. Interesting is that, Chuldim Sherpa, was an Everest Summitter with the Chilean Expedition Kangshung Face in 1994. This would be his second Everest Summit by the Kangshung Face according to Asian-Trekking, who he works for.

• Risk reports: The United Ukraine team - Everest from North - leader - Gorbenko Mstislav.  Three Summits, one death. Other members has reported up high but unclear if more members plan Summit attempts.
• Commercial American expedition including our friends Eric Simonson and Jochen. Two Summits, climbers leaving BC.
• Himalayan Experience Expedition to Mt. Everest 1999, a commercial expedition supported by Asian-Trekking as normal. The "arrangements" with the climbers are not known to EverestNews.com. Himalayan Experience typically attempts the Summit late in the season.

• EverestNews.com feature books: Everest : The History of the Himalayan Giant  by Roberto Mantovani, Roberto Montovani, Kurt Diemberger, William Fortney (Translator) Hardcover - 144 pages (October 1997) Mountaineers Books;
• Check out the Bookstore !
• What is next ? 1999 K2

Daily News: 5/22/99 Report 1:28 PM EST

• Everest Spring 99 North Side:  Patagonia Mountain Agency has issued a detailed dispatch about what has gone on in the last several days from the memory of their expedition. We suggest you listen to the audio if you can and/or read the words (Patagonia Mountain Agency), then we will add some comments below.
• Putting the facts together after an accident on Everest is very difficult. Climbers recall different items, and different versions of events are very common. So far the events here match "well" in our opinion, considering "this is Everest at 8,300 meters plus". If you are in Europe you will have seen stories from climbers published that differ in small details to the one above, but not that significantly. The facts are a very bad storm occurred.... as you know the rest.   We will add one significant item at this time, that is not in the Polish dispatch above, we assume because they did not see it.
• It is confirmed that Pascal was moving after this point in the Polish dispatch at the first step. Therefore, one wonders if the climber who the Sherpa assisted was Pascal. But if one assumes the Sherpa is right, then Pascal awoke later (i.e. Beck Everest 96) and started moving the down the mountain. Sadly, Pascal was not at a "level place" like Beck in 96. But he was descending from Step 1 on the North Side. It has been confirmed then that Pascal fell, approx. 1000 meters, from other climbers who saw him fall. The point on the mountain of the fall varies in the reports to EverestNews.com.
• A few other bits and pieces: Joao Garcia fearing the possible loss of his friend wanted to go back up for Pascal by ALL reports. Numerous climbers finally convinced Joao to abandon the idea of going back up after he just came down and let others go to attempt to help Pascal. It was a heated discussion to say the least. EverestNews.com can offer a little insight here, in that we spoke to Joao several times about the death of Fran (the American woman Everest 1998) who froze to death at the base of the first step last year. Joao, moving up the mountain last year came upon Fran at the base of the first step and could not go on. He knew that others had climbed by her while she was alive to Summit over a two day period. He listened to others radio calls who did not go to assist her. Fran death was a devastating experience for Joao. As other climbers climbed past Fran (while she was alive), Joao could not bring himself to climb past her dead body, he knew too much. A little insight into Joao. A climber we are very proud to say we know.
• Good deeds, that deserve some press: Paulo Coelho (Brazilian) and Helena Coelho (Brazilian) wife of Paulo, are credited with helping Joao part of the way back down. It must have been very difficult to be with an emotional Joao during those hours. Thank You Paulo & Helena !
• Good Deed: The Georgian doctor that treated Joao after Joao descended. The Georgian doctor refused to accept any payment for his services.
• Good Deed: The Italian climbers and unknown sherpas who climbed back up to attempt to find Pascal and (you would assume) Tadeusz, only to arrive a little late. They saw Pascal fall to his death. EverestNews.com is sure others also deserve positive press from their actions. We say Thank You again to all who assisted.
• Check out the Bookstore !
• What is next ? 1999 K2
• Are You New to EverestNews.com ? Check out the Site Index. The site index will help you see how we work and the stories you have missed. EverestNews.com is designed for You to read everyday.

Daily News: 5/21/99 Report 8:09 AM EST

• Everest Spring 99 North Side: Tadeusz Kudelski and Pascal Debrouwer have died. The news of Tadeusz Kudelski death was held because no one was available to call his wife that could speak Polish until Ryszard Pawlowski descended. We understand some reported it early. EverestNews.com waited until we were told his wife was notified which took a while.  Pascal's family also has been notified.
• Joao Garcia, is alive and at ABC. Alain Hubert (Belgian) 5th try on Everest, turned around that night with a Sherpa and is fine. Alain Hubert did not summit nor did he spend the night out of Everest with Ryszard. He has been providing much of the reports in Europe.

• Pascal Debrouwer was an interesting climber. A climber we have gotten to know well along with his partner Joao Garcia. Pictures of Pascal and Joao can be seen on our site here. (EverestNews.com does not usually post pictures of the News Page because many have problems loading the page.) One interesting picture is of Pascal with the North Face of Everest in the background. Pascal Debrouwer was also married, with one child. He was an independent, organizer of mountain travel, responsible of "Montagnes du Monde" in Belgium. He spoke French, English and Dutch. He had been an expedition leader and/or lead climber on several expeditions attempting mountains such as Cho-Oyu (8201m) in 92, Dhaulagiri (8167m) in 94, Annapurna (8091m) in 96, Everest (8846m) in 97. He planned an Manaslu fall 99 expedition. He was an young man, with an interesting future. His death is big news in Europe with radio and TV coverage.
• Many will surely micro-analyze these deaths. The facts are if the storm does not come they would most probably be in ABC right now. EverestNews.com will wait to report more.
• Everest Spring 99 North Side: There has now been 10 summits (that we currently know about) on the North Side this year, with three deaths of climbers on the North Side, all while descending from the Summit. All due to afternoon storms. More climbers are ready to attempt the Summit. We don't know if any went last night yet. We also don't know if these deaths might affect some expeditions plans. Some expeditions frankly (and somewhat  sadly) will not be affected at all.
• Patagonia Mountain Agency who EverestNews.com has also been working with this year on Everest is expected to talk more about Tadeusz Kudelski. We will leave his story to them...
• Patagonia Mountain Agency, Today is May 21, 1999. This is Eric Brown for Patagonia Mountain Agency calling from Advance Basecamp.  It is with great sorrow, confusion, plus a feeling of "why?" that I make this dispatch. Our expeditions triumph of Tuesday the 18th's summit success has turned tragic with the loss of Tadek Kudelski who never made  it back to Camp III that night. Ryszard also spent the entire night exhausted and fighting frostbite in negative 30 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures and gusting winds awaiting rescue. In addition, another expedition of two members, which summited after our team, failed to make it to Camp III that night, and in the following days only one of those two made it back okay. Hopefully in my next dispatch questions you have will be answered.   Keep the Kudelski family in your thoughts and prayers, and us also, as we pack up and also continue to contrast the extreme excitement and sorrow we have all experienced. Patagonia Mountain Agency, Check their site for more.

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