Everest

Summitted on May 23, 2009
Altitude 8,850m (29,035ft)
Welcome to our Everest photo album  Caroline made this banner with a photo of Mt Everest she took a few years earlier. Day 1  Goodbye at San Francisco Airport. Day 2  Overnight in Bangkok. Day 3  Arrival at Kathmandu Airport. Day 3  At the Yak and Yeti Hotel.  North Face duffle bags are all the rage. Day 3
Day 3  Everyone exploded their bags and the guides checked that we had everything we needed.  First time I have done a gear check in a Grand Ballroom. Day 3 Day 3 Day 4 Day 4  Dessert at the Yak and Yeti.  Fattening up for the climb. Day 5  Kathmandu Domestic Airport.  6:30am and checking in for our flight to Lukla.
Day 5  Jiban, pictured here, took care of us and all the logistics while in Kathmandu. Day 5 Day 6 Day 7  Another journey to the airport.  Maybe this time we will get a flight out. Day 7  Back in the departure lounge.  Again no luck today. Day 8  Success.  Here Adam and I are happy to be on the bus being transported to our plane.
Day 8  Our Twin Otter aircarft loaded and ready to depart. Day 8  In flight with our first views of the Himalayas. Day 8  Arrival at Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla.  Lukla is 2,860 meters (or 9,380 feet) above sea level and a great place to start the 9 day journey to Everest Base Camp. Day 8  The runway, all 527 meters of it. Day 8  The runway is the main feature of Lukla.  There are no roads to this mountain town. Day 8  Our first (of many) Tea Houses.  Here we are having lunch in Lukla.
Day 8  Our bags are sent up the mountain by Yak. Day 8  After lunch we head up the valley towards Phakding. Day 8  The trail with Chorten or Stupa. Day 8  Prayer Wheels. Day 8  More payers. Day 8  Phakding located at 2,610 meters (8,560 feet) above sea level.  This is where we spent our first night.
Day 9  Back on the Trail heading to Namche Bazar. Day 9  The official entrance to Sagarmatha National Park in the town of Monjo.  Sagarmatha National Park is a World Heritage Natural Site established in 1976. Day 9  We crossed the river 7 times on these cool swing bridges. Day 9  Trekking up the Dudh Koshi river. Day 9  The trek to Namche took just under 5 hours and we gained 1,100 meters (or 3,600 feet). Day 10  Touring Namche district and our first glimpse of Mt Everest.  It is the mountain in the centre of the picture with the cloud being generated off it.
Day 10  Photo opportunity.  The entire team.  Back row, left to right: Mike H (Guide), JJ (Guide), Tom, Adam, Alex, Frank S, Chris, Lori, Frank H, Stephen (me).  Middle row, left to right: Mike M, Vern (Expedition Leader), Phil, Kurt, Matt.  Front row, left to right: Garrett (Guide), Kathy, Kay. Day 10 Day 10 Day 11  Namche to Deboche. Day 11  Anyone fancy a cup of tea? Day 11  Tengboche, home of the biggest monastery in the region.
Day 11  Tengboche Monastery. Day 11  Home for the night. Day 12  On the way from Deboche to Pheriche we vistted Lama Geshi.  He chanted and blessed us all for a safe journey and return. Day 12  Bright coloured jackets and grey pants are the style. Day 12  The trail to Pheriche. Day 12  Above the treeline with bad weather ahead.
Day 12  Pulling into Pheriche with some unanticipated snow. Day 13  Pheriche located at 4,240 meters (or 13,910 feet) above sea level.  Looking up the valley. Day 13  Looking back down the valley towards Deboche. Day 13  Himalaya Rescue Association giving us a talk on Altitude illness and prevention. Day 13  Out for a walk and over the hill to Dingboche. Day 14  Our intrepid guides lead us from Pheriche on an acclimization hike to Chhukhung.
Day 14  Island Peak in the background. Day 14  Chhukhung at 4,730 meters (15,520 feet) complete with Internet Cafe. Day 14  Superior lodgings at the Himalayan Lodge. Day 15  On the trail to Lobuche. Day 15  Arrived at Lobuche.  Located at 4,910 meters (or 16,100 feet) above sea level. Day 16  Rocket powered Yak, the best kind.
Day 16  After 9 days trekking, our first view of Everest Base Camp. Day 16  On Arrival at Base Camp it was good to see our mountaineering equipment had made it safe and sound. Day 16  Our Base Camp dining room.  We spent many many hours in here. Day 17  Rest Day 1 at EBC.  We spent the day practicing our knots.  Here is a picture of my disorganized tent. Day 18  Rest Day 2 at EBC.  Spent many hours practicing walking across ladders. Day 19  Rest Day 3 at EBC.  Practicing crampon, glacier travel and ice climbing out on the glacier.
Day 20  Rest Day 4 at EBC.  We meet our Sherpa staff at the Puja ceremony. Day 20  Raising of the prayer flags. Day 20  Beautiful weather. Day 20  Enjoying the sun and the Puja ceremony. Day 20  I was given a bag of rice to protect me while in the mountains. Day 20  And then we all got doused in Samper (which is like flour).
Day 20  The Sherpa crew. Day 20 Day 21  Rest Day 5 at EBC.  More fixed line, ladder and ice climbing practice. Day 22  Rest Day 6 at EBC.  More ice climbing. Day 23 Day 24  Test run into the Ice Fall.  Good to get out on the trail after a week in Base Camp.
Day 24 Day 25  EBC to Camp1 on our first rotation.  Located at 6,040 meters (or 19,800 feet) above sea level.  The climb from EBC took 6 hours and 11 minutes after a brutal 2:30am wake up. Day 26  Rest Day at Camp 1.  This is a view of Camp 1 from the trail on the way to Camp 2.  As it was a rest day, we turned around and headed back to spend the night at Camp 1. Day 26  Red Team on the Western Cym between Camp 1 and Camp 2.  Left to right: Stephen (me), Adam, Mike H (Guide), Phil, Tom, Chris, Frank H, Matt. Day 27  Camp 1 to Camp 2.  Another beautiful day.  The hike from Camp 1 to Camp 2 took 3 hours and 17 mins ascending 445 meters. Day 27  Arriving at Camp 2.  Located at 6,450 meters (or 21,100 feet) above sea level.
Day 28  Rest Day at Camp 2.  We hiked up to the base of the Lhotse Face as part of our acclimatization.  Camp 3 is about half way up the face behind us. Day 29 Day 30  Rest Day 9 at EBC.  Were getting introduced to our oxygen systems. Day 30  Time for a shower. Day 31  Rest Day 10 at EBC.  Went for a hike around Base Camp. Day 31  Rest Day 10 at EBC.  Went for a hike around Base Camp.  We found a rock to sit on.
Day 32 Day 33 Day 34  Rotation 2, EBC to Camp 1 through the Ice Fall.  Made it to Camp 1 in 5 hours and 16 mins which was about 1 hour faster than last time. Day 35  Camp 1 to Camp 2, with me at the back and Phil at the front. Day 35  View looking up the Western Cym towards Camp 2 with the Lhotse Face up the valley and in the distance. Day 35  Camp 2 with a light dusting of afternoon snow.
Day 35  Our oxygen pile.  In total the expedition had 220 bottles! Day 36  Rest Day at Camp 2.  Spent almost the entire day in the tent reading. Day 37  Camp 2 to Camp 3.  At the base of the Lhotse Face. DSC05514 Day 37  We spent close to 7 hours on the Lhotse Face before we pulled into Camp 3.  Mike H (Guide) is leading, followed by Tom, Stephen (me) and Frank H. Day 37  Rest stop and enjoying the fine weather.
Day 37  Lower Camp 3.  Only 1 hour to go to Upper Camp 3. Day 37  Camp 3 located at 7,270 meters (or 23,800 feet) above sea level.  This was my new high point being 300 meters higher than Aconcagua in Argentina.  Tired but very happy to be at Camp 3. Day 38  Camp 3 to Camp 1 with lunch at Camp 2. Day 39  Camp 1 to EBC via the Ice Fall. Day 39  Back at EBC for just the night. Day 40  EBC to Pheriche.  As we departed EBC a massive avalanche released from the mountain into the Ice Fall.  This is one of the reasons the Ice Fall is so dangerous and why we travel in the Ice Fall at night.
Day 41  Pheriche to Deboche.  Nice to be back down amoung the trees and the birds.  We dropped down in altitude to eat and gain strength before attempting the Summit. Day 41  While the Blue Team was trekking to Deboche, the Red Team had returned to EBC and two climbers were being prepared for medi-evacuation.  Alex in the center of the picture suffered from High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) and was placed on oxygen.  Kurt in the lower right of the picture suffered frost bite on his fingers and decided to catch the helicopter ride out to Kathmandu.  The trip was also over for Kathy who was having hip issues but was able to walk out. Day 41  The helicopter landing at EBC. Day 42  Rest day in Deboche and enjoying the thick air. Day 43  Rest Day 2 in Deboche.  And after 43 days I was very pleased to see Caroline who had trekked up from Namche that day. Day 44  Rest Day 3 in Deboche.  Red and Blue Team preparing for lunch.  The decision was made to recombine the two teams.
Day 45  Rest Day 4 in Deboche.  With a visit to Tengboche Monastery. Day 46  Trekking from Deboche to Pheriche.  Caroline and her guide Aman. Day 47  Rest Day in Pheriche and time to catch up on some Internet. Day 48  Pheriche back to EBC.  A long day which aggravated the terrible flu I had.  Not ideal just before a push to the top of the highest mountain in the world. Day 49  Our 13th rest day at EBC.  Oxygen school for everyone. Day 50  Rest Day 14 at EBC.  Tomorrow we start our push to the summit.  Here Caroline and I are just relaxing in the nice weather.
Day 51  EBC to Camp 2.  We set off at 4:00am in the morning for our last ascent of the Ice Fall.  It took 11 hours and 30 mins to get to Camp 2. Everest 2009 Kays 173 Day 52 Day 53  Camp 2 to Camp 3.  Seemed like our Team was not the only team heading to the Summit! Day 53  Stephen (me) and Lori on the Lhotse Face. Day 53  Made it to Camp 3 and on Oxygen for the first time.  Oxygen is wonderful stuff.
Day 53  View from Camp 3 of the Western Cym shrouded in cloud. Day 54  Leaving Camp 3 on the slog to Camp 4. Day 54  Crossing the Yellow Band, which is a famous rock formation in the Himalayan region. Day 54  Our first view of the South Summit of Everest.  The true summit is behind the summit shown in this picture. Day 54  Heading up the Geneva Spur.  The last bit of climbing before we pulled into Camp 4. Day 54  Me just above the Geneva Spur and only 30 minutes away from Camp 4.
Day 54  At last, Camp 4. It took us 7 hours and 30 mins to climb the 700 meters from Camp 3. Day 54  Camp 4 or the South Col located at 8,010 meters (26,300 feet) above sea level.  Pity about all the rubbish left up here. Day 54  View from Camp 4. Day 55  Spent the day in the tent just chilling.  The climb to the Summit was going to start at 10pm. Day 55  Heading out from Camp 4 and starting the Summit bid. Day 56  Above the Balcony on the way to the South Summit.
Day 56  Weather looking good so far.  It was about 5:30am. Day 56  Looking back down the South East Ridge. Day 56  Another photo of the South East Ridge. Day 56  Wonderful views. Day 56  The weather was starting to turn and we were still several hours from the summit. Day 56  Looking towards the Hillary Step from just past the South Summit.
Day 56  Looking back at the South Summit from the Hillary Step. Day 56  Success on Everest!!  Me and Lakpa on the Summit around  8:20 in the morning. Day 56  Lakpa presenting his Lama Geshi card to the mountain.  And I was having a little sit down and rest.  Weather was not so good at this point. Day 56  Final Summit photo opportunity before heading down.  I spent less than 10 mins at the top. Day 56  Heading down to Camp 4. Day 56  Back at the tent after a very long day.  It took just over 10 hours to reach the summit and another 5 hours 30 mins to get back down.  I was going to sleep well  that night.
Day 57  Getting ready to depart back to Camp 2. Day 57  Taking in the View.  I was just above Camp 3 here. Day 58  Camp 2 to EBC.  And the weather was really turning on us now.  We spent the entire day hiking in snowfall. Day 58  Back at EBC.  Good to see Caroline again. Day 58  Summit Cake. Day 58  And summit champagne.
Day 58  Celebrating with the entire team and thanking the Sherpa staff for getting us up and down safely. Day 59  It snowed 2 meters (5 feet) over night.  Time to head back down the valley.  We hoped to make it to Gorak Shep, but in the end made it all the way to Pheriche. Day 60  Woke up to a wonderful morning in Pheriche. Day 60  Enjoying the moment. Day 60  Phil is on the Sat-phone to find out where our helicopter is. Day 60  Caroline and Stephen (me) boarding our ride to Kathmandu.
Day 60  View from the helicopter. Day 60  Just past 10am and back in Kathmandu. Day 61  Celebrating the end of the trip back at the Yak and Yeti Hotel. Day 62  We made the newspaper. (first column, 2nd line from the bottom). Everest Certificate 600dpi  My official Everest Certificate.