Another Top-of-the-World Day

[Click on the pictures to see larger versions with captions.]

Following on the heels of yesterday's success, more members of the Himex team made it to the top of Everest today, along with large numbers of people from other teams, including groups coming up from the mountain's south side. Where yesterday was windless and warm, this morning a moderate wind cooled the summit.

At 6:52 a.m., Mogens summited using oxygen, finally bringing his three-season quest for the summit to fruition. He was preceded by his guide and one Sherpa.

Two members of the Japanese team made it up around the same time, as did cameraman Mark Whetu, along with more camera-carrying Sherpas. But the real gem of the morning was to learn that 71-year-old Yanagsawa, guided by Hiro, climbed to the top as well.

Frankly, Yanagasawa had seemed an unlikely candidate for the big climb. Throughout the trip he moved at a slow, shuffling pace whenever he hiked along the glacier. But the former farmer, who had set himself the goal of climbing Everest a few years ago, moved up the mountain these past few days with determination, and proved his doubters totally wrong. He said, through translation, that he knew this was his only chance, and so he gave it his all. Apparently his wife in Japan thinks he's on a hiking trip.

The only member of this summit group who didn't make it up was Josette Valloton, who gave up her attempt to summit without supplemental oxygen yesterday at Camp 3. When she returned to ABC yesterday afternoon, she explained that she felt she needed more time to prepare herself for such an effort, and she didn't feel in step with the rest of her group as the only one not using oxygen. Her agreement with Russell was for a single shot at the climb, and since she wasn't ready to move up to Camp 4 yesterday, she had to give up her bid.

The remaining climbers from Team 1 yet to come down are Tim, who is still slowly descending from Camp 3, and Fred, who rested up overnight at Camp 1. Both will be back at ABC today.

As I write, today's summiters are descending. But effectively, the expedition is in its final stage.

Dozens of climbers have been up Everest during the past few days. Statistics are nearly impossible to collate as so many groups are on the mountain. Yesterday, for example, at least a dozen Chinese and Tibetan climbers were ahead of the Himex group. As the group descended they met several Columbian climbers going up.

The number of summiters this year could exceed 200. The number of deaths so far seems to be six; three on this side of the mountain (two Japanese and a Czech), and three on the Nepalese side (a Sherpa killed by rockfall early in the season, and two Koreans killed on the southwest face in an avalanche).

More details and photos about the experiences of the Himex team will follow soon.

Signing off,
Greg Child

 

Comments

[Matthew Montoney]

WOOOOO! Glad to hear team 1 is out of harms way, and great work team 2!!! Finally mogens!!! 02 or no 02, you still made it to the top, and came down safe. What a great success for all the climbers, camera teams, and sherpas. Truly a team effort. I look forward to hearing about the details. Greg, you are the man for keeping us up to date. Thank you!

[tim's mom]

Greg thanks for the update. The whole family has been waiting patiently for more news of Tim. I know he reached the summit but we were concerned about the descent. Tim take your time and becareful you reached your goal and now it's time to relax and enjoy your accomplishment. We love you and miss you. We are so happy Mogens made it to the top, he deserves it. Sorry about Josette, there is always next year. I believe this was a very good year for Russell and his team. Thanks to all the sherpas without them this would not be possible. They are a GREAT group of men. Now home to all your loved ones. THANK GOD

[Kris]

I have asthma and was always pulled out of gym class and did not participate in sports. Mogens is such a great inspiration. Congrats on your summit! Don't feel bad about using O2, it is still an amazing accomplishment. Congrats team 2! Have a safe trip down. Josette, it takes a very wise person to know when to turn around. My thoughts are with you.

[John W.]

Congratulations to all who have reached the Summit! Have a safe descent.

Special congrats to Mogens! You made it!

[Steve B]

Congratulations to all, especially Mogens. "Don't worry about the O's Mogens, I wont tell anyone if you don't" You've been on the top of the world, that's what counts. Now get home safe all of ya!

[Alan Arnette]

Greg,

Thank you for all the great dispatches during the season. It added so much depth and kept us all informed. Nice job to you and the team.

Alan

[Trisha]

Thanks Alan! For those of you who don't know him, Alan's Web site has the best Everest news on the Web in my opinion. Please visit him here: alanarnette.com.

[David]

Mogens, you are awesome. Congrats on making it to the top. Also, to all who have made it, congrats to you. Your part of a special club. Have a safe decent.

[Amy Jurries]

Congrats Tim and Mogens to finally make it this year! And congrats to all the other summiteers as well and the team that got them there. Great effort! Thanks very much for the detailed coverage Greg.

[scott]

what happened to Betsy?

[matt hardy]

congrats guys new you would make it well done to time and mogens for summiting. i guess this trips nearly over then will miss it very much

[Henry]

I'm happy for you Mogens! Good Work!

Henry (Florida)

[Genevieve Schmitt]

Regarding Betsy: I received a few emails from her when she returned to base camp saying she decided to head back up to ABC to watch and support her team members during their summit attempt. She could have left for Kathmandu to return home, but felt she should stick it out and be there as the summit action unfolds. Betsy shared much more with me in those emails before she left base camp. To find out how she felt about Russell's decision to not allow her to make a summit attempt, log onto www.womenridersnow.com and click on the Backroads With Betsy link.

[Karin DK]

A special congratulation from DK to Mogens. Well done. And congratulation to you all with your accomplishments. I will be looking forward to seing your efforts on Discovery.

[sasha]

Betsy is truly an angel, filled with the spirit of Mother Earth and certainly it makes sense that she would want to support and cheer on her fellow climbers. That's the way she would be if someone broke down alongside the road. Oh that girl would ride up, keep company with the person and help them to get back on their way again. Betsy is so spiritually attuned and a magnificent PRAYER WARRIOR, and her presence on the mountain, though she may not be climbing physically, she surely is climbing spiritually along with and within constant prayer FOR each and every one of her new found climbing friends seeking to achieve their dreams -- including those climbers not part of the climbing team to which she belongs. Consider this magnificent climbing soul a very integral presence in the HIMEX team. GOD BLESS EVERYONE ON THE MOUNTAIN. CONGRATULATIONS! MAY ALL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE! MAY YOU INSPIRE FOLKS AROUND THE WORLD, THROUGH YOUR EXAMPLES, TO CLIMB CLIMB CLIMB AND REACH THE SUMMIT OF THEIR EVERY GOAL IN LIFE! xo

[Cathy and Gevin]

Betsy,
We love you, hope you're okay

[Tim's Seattle Team]

Any further updates??

Carol??

[Cynthia]

Greg: Thankyou for updates every day. I am so inspired by Tim and Mogens . Congratulations to both of them - and to all who summited and to those who successfully attempted. Thankyou to Russell and his Sherpas for keeping them safe. I was a sponsor for Tim this year and look forward to hearing of his safe descent. Congrat's also to Tim's mom and his family. You have to be so proud of your son !!!

[kyle]

I am going crazy without an update since the second summit date.

[Julissa M. Lai]

Any word on when the next series will air?

[david z]

Mogens you should have summited last year you let your ego over ride your brain. You are physically stronger than 99% of the worlds population. Congrats Tim.

[Valerie]

Special congrats to Mogens. As a fellow asthmatic I can't believe he made it, even with O's! I spent a couple weeks last year in the puna in Argentina at only about 4000m, and was taking every asthma med I could find and cursing myself for forgetting my Advair.

One thing that did help with the altitude sickness was Coca Tea (NO it does NOT make you high!) and was curious if the Sherpa's had any equivalent to this.

Congrats to all, and thanks for sharing Greg!
Val

[Gigi]

Mogens!! It must be your day!! At last you've made it to the top! You're really a great guy! And congrats to other members who made it to the summit! It's a tough job but you've made it!! Yeah~~

[barclay]

congrats tim, ur a badass