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Adventure ConsultantsMakalu
2001 Expedition
Expedition
Leader: Guy Cotter - New Zealand
Team
members:
Robert Stevens - USA
Jean-Claude Latombe - USA / France
Keith Kerr - UK / Hong Kong
Jim Milne - USA / NZ
Bruce Hasler - New Zealand
Mark Williams - NZ/ UK
Bryan
Moore - New Zealand
and
Takashi Ozaki - Japan / Hong Kong
Update:
April
29th
Today
is the second day of fine weather in a row, a record
for Makalu this season! The Adventure Consultants team
is in BC having descended yesterday.
On
the 26th the entire team departed for C2 from BC. The
intention for this foray onto the mountain was to
reach Makalu La, which at 7400m, is crucial to our
acclimatisation. Followed by a rest at BC this sets us
up for the next phase as we slowly let our bodies
adjust to the thinner atmosphere up high. The ascent
to C2 went well until a mishap on the fixed ropes
below C1 left team member Keith Kerr with a ruptured
ligament on his patella forcing a return to BC. Guy
descended with him and after conferring with doctors
at BC it was decided he must return home for
treatment. This was a blow to the team and we are all
disappointed for Keith and wish him a speedy recovery.
Meanwhile
the rest of the team ascended to C2 and Guy left BC
the next morning and joined them later in the day. The
morning of the 28th dawned fine and it was with cold
fingers and toes we prepared ourselves for the ascent
to Makalu La. Departing about 8.00am we followed our
Sherpa team up the fixed ropes. Wind transported snow
had covered the ropes and a lot of work was required
to kick new steps in the snow and make the route
climbable again. Most of the team climbed to over
7000m during the day and Bryan and Guy turned back at
7200m at around 1.00pm due to slow progress of the
clearing party. All members descended to C2 then down
to BC for a much appreciated rest and dinner sitting
on a chair instead of lying down!
We
plan to rest here for 2-3 days before returning to C2
followed by a night at C3 on Makalu La. This will be
the final stage of the acclimatisation process and
sets us up for the summit attempt which we still
anticipate will be 11-14 May. Bring it on!
Snow
in the Kingdom : My Storm Years on Everest by
Ed Webster, Peter Williams (Editor),
(Illustrator) This item will be published in
November 2000. You may order it now and we will
ship it to you when it arrives.
