Going Home

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

It's fitting that I write the last blog from a hotel near LAX on my way home. I've just been in the piano bar, and coincidentally, a Nepali couple who were on my flight also turned up for a nightcap. One of them asked the Cuban bartender for a "hot meal" but he brought them hot milk instead. They're arguing about it right now, neither side able to penetrate the other's accent. It's the Babel factor.

The days since we departed base camp have been a frenzy of travel: a tooth-rattling, two-day dirt-road journey through Tibet and over the Friendship Bridge into Nepal, then a lounge-lizard feeding frenzy in Kathmandu restaurants like Kilroys and Fire and Ice, then a hurried session of goodbyes as we taxied off to jostle onto flights home.

I've spent this time thinking about the season that was and what it means. It was a lucky season, blessed by good weather. Sure, there were tragedies, but expeditions got off lightly given the enormous numbers of people who stood on top.

Fewer tragedies don't alleviate the burden of any single tragedy, though. In the last days at base camp there was a forlorn Italian woman visiting the Himex camp, hoping that Russell's Sherpa crew might locate a missing member from the Italian team who I'd originally heard had made it off the mountain. It turns out that one climber named Marco (see the blog "Babel") had survived, but another, Pierangelo Maurizio, was still unaccounted for.

As we left, Russell's Sherpas and any climbers left on the mountain were looking in abandoned tents for the climber and keeping an eye out on the ridge. More than 10 days have passed since the man was last seen. No one holds much hope for his survival now, but his friends wonder…

In Kathmandu our oldest team member, 71-year-old schoolteacher-turned-farmer Yanagasawa from Japan, became a celebrity when it was confirmed that he was indeed the oldest man to climb Everest. Last I saw him, a Japanese film crew were pursuing him around the Hotel Tibet.

And last I saw of Tim he was holding an X-ray that clearly showed two broken bones in his hand. A local clinic recommended surgery. More metal into the big boy's body it looks like.

Darius will remain in Tibet and Nepal with his wife and friends; Fred will be back doctoring in no time; and Rod has been splashed around in the press for his cell phone call from the summit. One publication, taking journalistic license to the typical extreme, reported that he asked his family if he should "pick anything up" on the way home; he did no such thing. He had just enough battery power (he taped the batteries to his chest to keep them warm) to make a half-minute call to a preapproved voicemail box that registered his GPS location to prove he was on Everest.

The film crew took off as one, returning to England to edit the Discovery Channel series, Everest: Beyond the Limit. Russell remained at Everest with Conrad Anker's crew, hoping to make a summit bid if the jet stream ebbs again.

I'm looking forward to getting home to a Utah summer, to mundane house repairs, to feeding my cat and most of all, back to watching my daughter grow up.

So how many people climbed the mountain this year? Russell says he's got no idea. He thinks it's impossible to know anymore because there are so many folks on both sides that no one can tally the numbers accurately – maybe not even the redoubtable Elizabeth Hawley of Kathmandu, who has kept score for decades.

Unofficially, people are saying 300, with a death toll of about eight. But what if the score is 2,700, 3,000 or 3,001? It won't be long before the summit count on Everest is 5,000, then 10,000. Will that make the mountain less interesting, less appealing to climb, less a pinnacle of human endeavor, less a keystone (or tarnished keystone) in climbing's identity myth?

At the outset of this trip, I wondered if a bunch of strangers who'd paid a fee to buy onto an expedition could find the necessary camaraderie to climb the mountain. It did seem to come together by the end, with some people finding that "certain thang" more than others.

A lot of the climbers on the trip say they'll never do another high mountain again; they've ticked off Everest and they're moving on. Others hint that the bug has bitten them and they might pursue more Himalayan adventures.

What is certain is that without Phurba and his Sherpa friends, as well as the Sherpas on other teams, few of the Western summiters would get there. This year, Phurba's crew fixed ropes from the foot of Everest to the tippy top of the summit. They made it as safe as possible. They and other Sherpas carried up the tents and pitched them, humped up countless oxygen tanks, took most of them down and otherwise tailored this mountain for their clientele. That's the way it is, and that's why the Sherpas own the mountain.

Signing off,
Greg Child

Comments

[Matthew Montoney]

Thanks Greg! Your blogs have been priceless. It's good to know that everyone is safe and sound. What a success this has been for the crews, camera teams, and sherpas. I can't wait for the series to start.

Stay well!

[Kim Kent]

I am also thankful Greg.. what a fanstastic and exciting blog. You kept us interested friends, family and fans updated and aware of the entire expedition and without you I am sure many of us would of been clueless as to what was going on. Everyone from Russels crew is safe and that is awesome!! You rock Greg.... til next year? Kim/San Diego

[sasha]

Greg! I hope you win some sort of journalism award for your presentation here on the Discovery Channel website....truly inspiring. God bless ALL the climbers and may this experience continue to inspire you to achieve greatness. Your experiences have inspired so many readers on this blog! Just wait 'til the show hits the airwaves....

[Steve B]

Awesome! Greg, I can't add anything that has not been said already. Well done to everyone, and I hope any injuries are soon fixed. Thanks for keeping us all up to date with what is going on and I cant wait to see it all on Discovery. Hopefully if all goes well, I should be following in your footsteps in a couple of years.
Thanks again Greg.

[nepalsites]

truly inspirational expedition. fascinating to see it all in the discovery channel. you guys are all heroes.

[Chris]

Great job! And looks like its well over 500 summits rather than 300.

[Adam Reaves]

I have been following the blog since last season. I wish I was there and soon I will be. I'm so glad for Mogens! Just watching him hit the wall last year was horrific. But he made it along with Tim- I'm glad he didn't talk about his hand, even though that was pretty crazy learning and not a safe call-, and the rest of the team.

[Kruthika]

Amazing blog Greg! I am totally mesmarised by the way you have narrated and the photos are out of the world :o) Truely inspiring!!

[Elizabeth RN "the nurse"]

Thanks Greg and Discovery...JOB WELL DONE. All of you have inspired so many people to go after their own Everest,no matter what it is....never give up.And to Russell the ultimate event planner with picnics in the grass to a climb to the top of the world.........thanks for keeping them safe.I enjoyed hearing from Carol, Tim's mom,seems like she brought so much "reality" to his adventure.Tim,I knew you could do it.....!!!!!!ROCK ON!!! Elizabeth,the nurse at sea level....Wilmington/Rocky Point,NC.

[Dessa Hadenfeldt-Waller]

Okay, so my father was a little slow on letting me know you were "far out" there in the Ice Lands, but I've caught-up just in time for you to be home. I'm just glad you are, but I also wanted to say you tell a great tale. I went back and read what I could, and it was a fantastic blog! Congrats on keeping your fingers and toes, and here's to all that made it home and the ones that didn't. Take care!
Vaughn's Kid

[Belinda]

Beyond the limit 06 season only just aired in Australia (we're a little slow here!!) & I really wanted Tim & Mogen's to reach the sumit the first time & I was so happy to learn that they did just that recently for the 2nd time. Totally awesome footage - the best Iv'e seen & I'm not a climber! Can't wait to see the 2nd season in Australia - probably we'll get it here next year!!Congratulations to the whole team!!!

[Naz]

Well done! Was a fantastic series which won my respect for the climbers and most importantly the sherpas.. they are truly the kings of the mountain.. I feel so inspired.. Thank you discovery for such a awesome show....

[SteveH]

There was wild speculation in late April as to the experience and abilities of Betsy as she was attempting to summit Everest. For those interested in reading the truth regarding her acceptance on the expedition and the events that led to her dismissal from the summit team, should log onto www.womenridersnow.com and read her latest article in Backroads with Betsy "What Matters Most".

SteveH

[Gigi]

Hey guys... Congratulations of the succeed! I am from Malaysia, Asia, while you guys summitted in the year 2007, here I'm just watching the year 2006 expedition episodes on Discovery Channel Asia. Finally after a few months I found out that the guys that didn't made it last year managed to the top in the year 2007. You guys proved that you can, and Russel, the King Of The Mountain who brought them up and down safely. I'm very happy to hear the news. Keep on your good work!! Once again, congratssss~~

[Nadine Isaak]

I hate to say this, but Tim Medvetz, Mogens,(for sure) Max, Terry,

Russel, Mark all have some teenagers posing as them on

myspace. I knew nothing of the show, so it was easy to

fool me, as well as a few others, and these fool kids have

their friends as their friends- (Jackson, Adam, girlfriend

Mariah-) on "your" (Tim and Mogens) website. I feel really

stupid, but Tim and Mogens, (I should say your posers)and I

got along really good. I thought you guys should know,

because myspace won't shut them down. Those kids did a good

job of making your websites, but not at the cost of hurting

someone. Then hurling insults when I post they aren't who

they say they are. You two were like my best friends, and

embarrassing,to find out it wasn't even you, is stupid and

but it's like losing two close friends.

It's not right.

Nadine Isaak

[Nadine Isaak]

I hate to say this, but Tim Medvetz, Mogens,(for sure) Max, Terry,

Russel, Mark all have some teenagers posing as them on

myspace. I knew nothing of the show, so it was easy to

fool me, as well as a few others, and these fool kids have

their friends as their friends- (Jackson, Adam, girlfriend

Mariah-) on "your" (Tim and Mogens) website. I feel really

stupid, but Tim and Mogens, (I should say your posers)and I

got along really good. I thought you guys should know,

because myspace won't shut them down. Those kids did a good

job of making your websites, but not at the cost of hurting

someone. Then hurling insults when I post they aren't who

they say they are. You two were like my best friends, and

embarrassing,to find out it wasn't even you, is stupid and

but it's like losing two close friends.

It's not right.

Nadine Isaak

[Nadine Isaak]

I'm glad you guys made the summit..and back down. Safe and sound. Someday I'll bring myself to watch the view of the summit you guys made, it will make it special, I tear up when I see video of the summit. Can't now though.. we don't know a darn thing about eachother. ha
congrats.

[Rusty Bradford]

Well this series has changed my outlook on life for sure. What a great documentary first of all but to see the determination of these men who are willing to die for there dreams is inspiring. To dream big is something we should all strive for but most do not. All of these men are hero's to me for merely following there dreams and facing there challenges with there nose down and chin up. Thank you for making this film and showing it to the world.

[Rusty Bradford]

Well this series has changed my outlook on life for sure. What a great documentary first of all but to see the determination of these men who are willing to die for there dreams is inspiring. To dream big is something we should all strive for but most do not. All of these men are hero's to me for merely following there dreams and facing there challenges with there nose down and chin up. Thank you for making this film and showing it to the world.

[Steve]

Great site!

Would you like a Link Exchange with The Internet Radio Network? At the IRN you can listen to over 40 of America’s top Talk Shows via Free Streaming Audio! In addition you can email the President, VP and Congressional Leaders!!
http://netradionetwork.com

[Steve]

Great site!

Would you like a Link Exchange with The Internet Radio Network? At the IRN you can listen to over 40 of America’s top Talk Shows via Free Streaming Audio! In addition you can email the President, VP and Congressional Leaders!!
http://netradionetwork.com

[Kelly DiFrancesco]

My husband Justin and I love to watch these men and women. We have much respect for everyone and their goals, except Tim. There is so much going on there, the last thing everyone needs is attitude from a man that seems to have no respect for Russ, the Shirpas, the other climbers, and the mountain. As an American, his attitude is embarrassing. I hate his attitude. I sometimes am to embarrassed to watch his remarks. I hope that he can see the errors in his ways and can change himself in the end. My appologies Russ, he is a stupid, silly man.

[Mark]

Response to Kelly,

Before you judge Tim, You need to do some more research on Russle Brice. Apperently In the climb featured in last years program he ordered his sherpas to leave David Sharp, an independent British Climber, to die when he was in a recuable position high on the mountain. He and his team chose to Summit at the expense of this fellows very life. He allegedly also tried to prevent reporting of Chinese soldiers who murdered children within a few hundred yards of his climbers in Nepal. The facts Discovery reported about him, his accomplishments, safety record, and successes are in great dispute.

Also If you are enjoying this program, you will also enjoy going to iTunes, and downloading a series of video podcasts about a team that went to everest. go to therestofeverest.com

The Rest of Everest is a video podcast conceived and created by documentary filmmaker Jon Miller of TreeLine Productions in Colorado. It is "the rest" of the footage from the groundbreaking expedition documentary "Everest: The Other Side"

They show you from planning and packing to travel, to base camp to summit all the logistice, culture, risks, waiting, storms, weather, etc. Somewhere around Episode 27-30 they talk about how poorely they were treated by the HIMEX folks....

If Tim has some contemt for the Russle Brice, there may be other edited out reasons we just don't see.

[Alan]

Respect for Russell? You are one of the few left, it seems (other than those who ignore all mountaineering news except what's shown on Prime Time TV).

Basically, the men seems to have a reputation for ignoring (if not outright sanctioning) murder if there is a chance it could impact his profit margin.

Find an October 2007 Mens Journal magazine for one of the best pieces of mountaineering journalism ever, or read this:

http://www.mounteverest.net/news.php?news=16636

[Eric N.]

Greg,you are the man,i don't care what anyone says.All those crazy personalities you had do deal with.I love the show.Each climber brought something new to the daily challenges,without which, i believe helped the show's success.Never the less,some of them seemed to ask for some of the troubles they found themselves in,as they just couldn't check they're egos at the door,and just refuse to bow down to wisdom and experience.Everest is the last place to be a lone wolf. Much continued success in future projects.