{"id":36991,"date":"2020-05-07T17:19:42","date_gmt":"2020-05-07T23:19:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/blog\/?p=36991"},"modified":"2020-05-11T14:05:58","modified_gmt":"2020-05-11T20:05:58","slug":"back-to-base-camp-and-a-narrow-escape","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/blog\/2020\/05\/07\/back-to-base-camp-and-a-narrow-escape\/","title":{"rendered":"Virtual Everest 2020: Back to Base Camp and A Narrow Escape"},"content":{"rendered":"

The fictional team returned from Camp 3 at 23,600-feet on the Lhotse Face and decided to go all the way to base camp due to impending weather. Climbing through the Icefall in late morning is never a good idea and She found out why.<\/p>\n

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Virtual Everest 2020 – Support the Climbing Sherpas<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/span> is a joint project of <\/span>Alan Arnette<\/a><\/span> and several global guide companies. Our objective is to entertain Everest fans during the Coronavirus spring <\/span>closure<\/strong><\/span> and raise money to help the Climbing Sherpas who are not working this spring. While there will be accurate <\/span>historical<\/strong><\/span> references, this series is a work of <\/span>fiction<\/strong><\/span>. Names, characters, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used <\/span>fictitiously<\/strong><\/span>. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Please join us by making a donation using the links below plus by adding your Everest experiences in the comment section.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Back to Base Camp and A Narrow Escape<\/h2>\n

The down-climb from Camp 3 to Camp 2\u00a0was very fast. They were having breakfast at nine that morning and most of the team wanted to return to base camp the same day. \u201cWe\u2019ve got more weather moving in.\u201d Guide announced.\u201d So, let\u2019s pack up. Going through the Icefall in the morning is not ideal, and part of me wants to hold out the storm here at C2, but we made great time this morning, so let\u2019s get going ASAP.”<\/p>\n

They returned to their tents and packed, leaving their sleeping bag and extra pad at C2 for the summit rotation.<\/p>\n

“How do you feel?\u201d Buddy asked Bud. \u201cSurprisingly well,\u201d he replied. “The climb to 3 was tough, but I feel good now. I’ll feel even better at EBC with all those Os.”<\/p>\n

\"Looking<\/a><\/p>\n

Over in the other tent, the status was not as good. \u201cI feel like Hell,\u201d Old Man told Snorer. \u201cI would rather stay here for another day.\u201d Guide, walking by about that time, poked his head in the tent. \u201cYou can do it. You moved well coming down this morning. I know you are familiar with pushing yourself from last year, but this time is different. When we get back to base camp, we\u2019ll have over two weeks to rest up before heading back to the summit. You can go down to Namche if you want, you know – touch grass.\u201d Guide smiled at Old Man. He had grown fond of him over the expedition and wanted to see him summit.<\/p>\n

Old Man nodded and continued to pack his gear. His Personal Sherpa, Pemba, came over. \u201cLet me take most of your gear, so your pack is lite.\u201d He said, looking at the Old Man with support, not pity. \u201cWell, that would help a lot.\u201d He replied, handing over most of his gear. Now he only had an extra jacket, gloves, and one liter of water in his pack. \u201cGive me the water.\u201d Pemba said, \u201cI will be by your side the whole way down.\u201d Old Man handed him the bottle.<\/p>\n

She was anxious to get down, take a shower, and have a long video call with her family using FaceTime over EverestLink. She felt strong, she felt pleased with her performance. She now felt confident that she could do well on the summit bid.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did well,\u201d Girlfriend told Boyfriend as she hugged him. \u201cI guess, but getting to 3 was more than I anticipated. I struggled at the end.\u201d She held him tighter. \u201cBut you got there within the time limits and came back today, that\u2019s all that counts.\u201d<\/p>\n

Guide walked over to Dutch and Loner\u2019s tent. \u201cYou guys ready?\u201d He asked, not looking in the tent. \u201cMight get a bit windy, so make sure you have your shells.\u201d He added, walking away.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Neither man spoke while packing. Both had come to understand that they were focused on the summit, not making small talk, at least with each other.
\nDawa led the team out of C2, once again navigating the multiple shallow crevasses that led to the top of the Icefall and the infamous ladders. They clipped into the fixed ropes and focused on climbing down each ladder\u2014their crampons sending back a reassuring clink with each step.<\/p>\n

The team had spread out as they had become accustomed to, but this time Couple and Buddies stayed together.<\/p>\n

She and Mingma walked thoughtfully through the maze of towering ice seracs, some as tall as 60-feet. \u201cAvalanche!\u201d Mingma called out. \u201cOff Nuptse.\u201d Everyone looked left to see a falling white wall of snow and ice. It landed harmlessly in a gully between them and the Icefall.<\/p>\n

They continued at a brisker pace, as it was approaching 11 am, and the mid-day heat would heat up the dangerous seracs. There was no time for breaks, talking or anything that would slow downward progress. \u201cI\u2019m glad we only have to go through this two more times.\u201d Snorer told Loner as they walked together. Loner looked ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Then they heard it. The crushing sound of shattering ice. It was close, very close. She turned around to see a wall of white powder rushing towards Mingma. \u201cRun!\u201d He called to her. She turned and ran but looked back to check on her friend. By now, he was right behind her. \u201cKeep going!\u201d He shouted. She ran as fast as she dared while still being clipped to the rope.<\/p>\n

The velocity of the snow wall slowed as the sound returned to a muffled silence. It had taken less than ten seconds but had taken years off her life. \u201cYou OK?\u201d Mingma asked his charge. \u201cYes, just shaken,\u201d She replied, breathing heavily, her heart pounding. \u201cThat tall ice serac fell. The one we’ve been watching.\u201d Mingma said as he keyed the radio to call the other Climbing Sherpas. One by one, they all checked in that everyone was safe.<\/p>\n

The route, now littered with sofa size blocks of ice, was still passable, so all the climbers and Climbing Sherpas that day made their destinations. There were over 300 people throughout the Icefall on this Friday.<\/p>\n

Dutch approached them quickly. “Are you both safe?” he asked urgently. “Yes, we are fine. Close call my friend, a near miss.” She said softly looking upwards into the frozen maze.<\/p>\n

Minga took out his Mala Beads and began praying as they reached base camp and crampon point. She took off her pack and sat down to remove her crampons.<\/p>\n

She desperately needed to call home.<\/p>\n

Climb On!
\nAlan
\nMemories are Everything<\/p>\n

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Climbing Sherpa Support<\/span><\/h2>\n

Who, how much, and how often you donate is a personal decision. Maybe you climbed with one of the guides, or plan to one day. Perhaps you have followed them for years and want to support their Climbing Sherpa team, or maybe you support by geography – Nepali, American, Austrian, British, New Zealand. It’s up to you and will be much appreciated.<\/span><\/p>\n

My sincere appreciation to those companies who accepted my invitation to join <\/span>Virtual Everest 2020 – Support the Climbing Sherpas<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/span>:<\/span><\/p>\n