Year: 2010

2010 Coverage, Everest

The Children of the Khumbu

Regular readers of my expedition dispatches know that I find genuine satisfaction in interacting with the local people on a climb, especially the children. My first trek in the Solo Khumbu area of Nepal introduced me to some special people. On my second trip, I was forever changed. By my seventh trip, it was home. I am not sure I can put a finger on it but the Khumbu kids have a uniqueness to them unmatched in my travels. They smile easily, welcome interaction and have a laugh that makes you laugh along – years into the future.

2010 Coverage, Everest

The Migration to Base Camp Begins

Yaks to Everest Base Camp

After last week’s flight delays to Lukla, Yeti Airlines and others are running full loads this week. Multiple reports from teams speak of their uneventful flights to Lukla – which is a good thing! Lukla is generally ranked in the top three most dangerous airports in the world due to the short runway perched on a cliff. For the next few weeks, however, teams will be in Kathmandu and in the villages throughout the Khumbu.

California 14ers, Colorado 14ers

summer Climbing Plans

Durango & Silverton Train

It is spring time in Colorado as evidence by deep snowfall that melts away the next day. So it is time to finalize my plans for summer climbs. My priority is to compete the Colorado 14ers. But also, I want to grab a few California 14ers and perhaps something big in the Fall. I have climbed 48 of the 54 Colorado 14ers. But of course the list is actually 58 so I need to climb 58! Confused? Well here is the explanation from my 14ers page

2010 Coverage, Everest

How Difficult is Climbing Everest?

One measure of climbing difficulty is the rating and climbing has a terminology of it’s own. You read that she just redpointed a 5.12c and wonder if this was something from NASA, or Congress. I have seen Everest described as a simple “walk-up” meaning that no actual climbing is involved so I thought a quick review of what defines climbing might be helpful. I will use the South Col route as the example.

2010 Coverage, Everest

And They’re Off!

Climbers continue to stream into Kathmandu from all around the world. I updated the expedition count and can already identify over 150 named climbers just on the south side and over 50 on the north. But the true number could easily exceed 350 on both sides. To put this in context, in 2009, we saw over 300 summits and sadly, 5 deaths and nearly 500 summits set a single season record in 2007.