{"id":37331,"date":"2020-05-29T05:03:54","date_gmt":"2020-05-29T11:03:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/blog\/?p=37331"},"modified":"2020-05-28T20:26:36","modified_gmt":"2020-05-29T02:26:36","slug":"virtual-everest-2020-home-the-end","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/blog\/2020\/05\/29\/virtual-everest-2020-home-the-end\/","title":{"rendered":"Virtual Everest 2020: Home – The End"},"content":{"rendered":"

The fictional team is back home. Thanks, to everyone who followed this story and thanks especially to those who made a donation to one of the guides who will distribute all the money to their climbing Sherpas.<\/p>\n

In the real-world. there were 51 #<\/span>Everest2020<\/span><\/span><\/a> summits this spring, all Northside: 8 Tibetans rope fixers, 8 Chinese survey team, and 14 Chinese nationals supported by 21 Tibetans. Congrats<\/span> to all. Latest summits in decades due to deep snow. New altitude measurement expected in a few months.\u00a0Thanks to\u00a0Mingma G<\/a> for the updates.<\/p>\n

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Virtual Everest 2020 – Support the Climbing Sherpas<\/a><\/em><\/strong> is a joint project of Alan Arnette<\/a> and several global guide companies. Our objective is to entertain Everest fans during the Coronavirus spring closure<\/strong> and raise money to help the Climbing Sherpas who are not working this spring. While there will be accurate historical<\/strong> references, this series is a work of fiction<\/strong>. Names, characters, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n

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Home<\/h2>\n

“I can’t believe that really happened.” Snorer said to Old Man. “Hell, I’m not sure it did!” he joked. “Yeah, made it look easy, NOT!\u201d Buddy chimed in, adding, “Hardest thing I’ve ever done.”<\/p>\n

The team celebrated their Everest summit over a dinner of yak meat, potatoes, green beans, lentils, and tomato soup. Chuldim made a cake for them.\u00a0With icing, it read, “Congratulations! Everest Summit May 25, 2020”<\/span><\/p>\n

Girlfriend trying to smile, simply offered, “I miss him.” Sitting next to her, She smiled backed and said, “I know, you will see him soon.” Guide arranged for a helicopter flight from Base Camp to Kathmandu so Couple could be reunited. The rest of the team would trek back.<\/p>\n

Boyfriend was recovering in the Kathmandu Medical Center. All of his vital signs were good, and the doctors told him he would be released in a day or two.<\/p>\n

The team began the trek to Lukla the next day, spending nights in Periche and Namche. It took three days to get there. The weather was good, but the monsoons were looming. They caught a Yeti Air flight and landed in Kathmandu only five days after summiting Mt. Everest. Most had booked flights home over the next few days. They passed by a customs sign at the airport and smiled at the simplicity of Nepal.<\/p>\n

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

Guide and Dawa stayed at Base Camp to help take the tents down and pack everything into plastic drums. Fifty yaks would arrive the day after tomorrow to take it all to Gorak Shep where most of the gear would be stored until next season. Some of it would go to Kathmandu to be used on Manaslu or Cho Oyu in the autumn. The Sherpas were diligent in leaving the camp spotless.<\/p>\n

“What a group, Dawa! Thank you for all your help, especially with Boyfriend. I don’t know what I would have done without you.” Guide told his Sidar. “You’re welcome. I am glad it all worked out. But it was touch and go at times.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Guide called all the Climbing Sherpas, cooks, porters, and support staff together. \u201cI want to thank each of you for a great job these past two months. From setting this camp in late March to keeping everyone fed and watered throughout the expeditor, for hauling all our stuff up the mountains and for climbing with us and keeping us safe. A very special thank you to those who helped rescue Boyfriend and support Old Man. Without your dedication, expertise, and professionalism, we might have not summited, and perhaps lost a couple of people. So while it\u2019s only words, please know that from my heart, I thank you and am proud to call you my friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

He passed out the tips. The members had been very generous, and the extra money was appreciated.<\/p>\n

The road from the Kathmandu domestic airport terminal to Hotel Kathmandu felt strange. She had gotten used to the quiet of the Himalaya, the lack of cars, and all the trappings of modern life. Despite the WiFi, movie nights, and sat phone calls home, She found it peaceful, relaxing, and a welcome break from her job and home duties.<\/p>\n

She slept most of the flight home. She was tired. On her other climbs, She had been tired, but this one was different. It was longer, more physically demanding, emotionally draining, yet with unparalleled in satisfaction. She smiled as she drifted off.<\/p>\n

Loner and Dutch said goodbye at the airport as they boarded planes for different cites. Buddies flew together back to their homes. Old Man and Snorer ended up on the same flight to their connection in Dubai where they went their separate ways. Couple had already flown home, now engaged. “Look! Everest!” Girlfriend said. “Boyfriend, glancing out the airplane window just smiled, “Beautiful. I’m so proud of you.”<\/p>\n

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The plane landed so smoothly that She didn\u2019t wake up. \u201cWelcome home,\u201d said the flight attendant, softly touching her shoulder. She gathered her carry-on bag and walked out the Airbus 330 door and onto the jetway. She cleared security, smiling at the Customs\u00a0<\/span>Officer who said, \u201cWelcome back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her two duffle bags were waiting for her besides the luggage carousel. She found a trolly and loaded them on, politely rejecting an offer of help from a buff young man. \u201cI got this.\u201d She told him. It was all she could not say, \u201cI just summited Mt. Everest, I think I can handle my gear!\u201d She smiled inside.<\/p>\n

The automatic door opened, and there they were, Husband, Daughter, and Son. They held a sign up with huge letters:<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome Home Mt. Everest Summiter!\u201d<\/h2>\n

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

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Climbing Sherpa Support<\/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.<\/p>\n

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