May 22nd, 2010 will be a day recorded in history: the youngest person to summit Everest and the person with the most summits in history on the same same day yet from different sides.
Apa Sherpa at age 47 made his 20th summit with the Eco Everest team and on the other side of the mountain, 13 year-old Jordan Romero along with his dad and Sherpa team made the top of the world, his 6th of the 7 summits. What a day.
Jordan showed his strength by going directly from camp 2 to the summit. I am not sure of the exact time but believe it was around 9 hours. They are reported to be back at camp 2 and will descend to ABC.
The SPOT technology and the map produced by ESRI worked extremely well. There were only a few times when a signal was not plotted on the map – two periods of about 45 minutes, which was probably due to the line of site being blocked to the satellite. But the world watched as the flashing red dot moved in a steady pace.
Yet with all this excitement, many other “mere mortals” also summited including elite Sherpa climber Ang Dorge Sherpa who made his 14th summit with Adventure Consultants. With the AC team was Mandy Ramsden, 1st South African woman to complete the 7 Summits.
With the Eco Everest team were the youngest Indian climber ever Arjun Vajpai at age 16 and David Liano, who intended to climbed Everest from both sides but became ill and had to go back to Kathmandu during his north attempt, was cleared, and returned to the south to climb with Apa Sherpa!
Also on that team were two members of the Finnish team: Timo Jaatien and Mika Pitkamaki plus 9 Sherpas.
There were many more summits Saturday morning, including the large Himex team, and I will try to note as many as possible over the next few days.
I have updated the location chart based on what I know from last night.
In the next post I will begin today’s summit wave.
My sincere congratulations to all.
update: This from Himex guide Adrian Ballinger:
All 12 members, 4 guides and 17 sherpa successfully climbed to the roof of the world, and back down to Camp 4 at the South Col. The weather was perfect, no wind, cold at the summit, but quite warm lower down. The summit was totally clear, with incredible views all around. There were very few other climbers summiting at that time, affording our climbers time to savour their triumph at the top, and meaning they did not face the traffic jams that occured last year at the Hillary Step.
Half the team have opted to continue on down to Camp 2 before stopping for the night, the others will overnight where they are at Camp 4.
Great job everyone!
Climb On!
Alan
7 thoughts on “Wave 1 Recap (updated)”
I have a son the same age so we we’re following Jordan and wanting to see him summit.To hear of his strength says a lot about his drive,awesome!!!
Its great to see all the summits and congrats to all, but I as many question the decision to have a 13 year old climbing Everest. No matter the sucessful outcome, the rational for his climb must be questioned, it may be “cool” for a 13 year old, but not smart.
Great to see so many stand on top this year!
Alan, looks like Karen Lundgren did make it!! with Jordan Romero’s team. Thanks for the update! Yes she is Jordan’s Stepmom……….she is a great role model and wonderful person. She is my boys race team coach and my good friend and has been watching over Jordan since he was a baby. It’s an incredible family unit along with his birth mom LeighAnne. I have know Jordan since the day he was born. I knew he would do great things……Watch this kid because there is definitely more to come. Older beyond his years , mature and confident. He will change the world. Thanks for your site Alan very enjoyable. 🙂
Huge congratulations to everyone: AC team, Eco Everest team, and Himex team!!
And most of all to the Amazing Sherpas of Nepal and Tibet without which none of this would be possible.
The reports I have seen describe Karen Lundgren as his Father’s girlfriend, not Jordan’s stepmother. She is also described as being a professional adventure racer.
Hi Alan,
You have 2/2 of the Jordan Team on the summit. Did one of them turn back? They were climbing with a woman. (friend of the father.) Over on “Everest News” they are saying that it was unclear who was carrying the spot in the team.
Thanks.
I believe his step-mom, Karen Lundgren, was with them but have not seen a confirmation. I will updated the stats when I do.
Comments are closed.