Top of the World

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

Here is a very quick update to be followed by more detailed info shortly.

Between 5:20 a.m. and 7:23 a.m. today, all members of the first summit group reached the top of Everest. Fred, Darius, Rod, Li Jong, Tim, guides Woody and Dean, cameraman Ed Wardle and at least six Sherpas (whose names I'll post in my next update) made a pretty quick ascent beginning at 1 a.m.

Also on top were four Tibetan climbers with a Chinese team. Others are making their way up as well. The summiters said it was windless and clear on top. Those on top sounded very happy to have gotten there to say the least. At the time of this posting the climbers are descending. Tomorrow, the second summit team goes for it.

More later,
Greg Child

[Editor's note: Thanks for your patience! I see everyone has been on pins and needles. Everest is exactly 12 hours ahead of Eastern time. Greg doesn't have direct access to the blog software (too expensive), so you all were waiting on me to get to work. He'll send details soon. Thanks for giving updates in the comments, Guy and Jamie!]

Comments

[Tim's Seattle Team]

woohoo!
Here's to a safe descent!

[Matthew Montoney]

Wooooooo-Hooooooo!!!!! They did it!!! Awesome!!! Now get down safe!!! I'm speechless!!!!!

Gongrats to all, and good luck team 2!!!!

Tim's Cousin
-Matt Montoney

[Andy- Not a Fan of Tim]

Serious bummer that Tim summited. After acting like such a jackass last year, it truly is unfortunate to see how the commercialization of Everest has lead to complete novices like Tim summiting.....That being said, I wish him no ill will and a safe descent

[Edward A. Rogers]

Fantastic News! Congrats to all! Tim, I knew you would make it. Darius, I guess we won't being doing it together next year. Fred, on top of the world again. Rod (Motorola Man)hope your call made it back to England. Li (Bruce Lee) now go kick Tim's _ _ _. Woody and Dean, Supermen on the mountain and Ed, time to have that Famous Grouse back in Kathmandu. Good Luck to team 2.

[Matthew Montoney]

Andy, This board has been nothing but positive. If you have nothing positive to add, keep your thoughts to yourself. Today is a big day for Tim, his team, and his family. Let's just leave it at that, and wish everyone a safe return.

[steve blethyn]

Well done to all, I'm pleased you all made it. If a giant like Tim can do it, with all his metalwork inside, then there's hope for me yet. 8000m can do strange things to anyone, anytime, so well done. Good luck to the other team also and hope you all get home safe.

[bill]

"Serious bummer that Tim summited." Novice or not, or even if the man is a jackass, He did it and he was prepared this time.

Does it make you feel better to throw out your narcissistic opinion of his climb?

After reading this blog, and other Everest news sites, I have read stories of much worse "jackasses" stealing equipment, and having to be saved from the mountain due to poor planning and reckless behaviour.

Something does need to be done about the overcrowding on Everest; however, Matthew, why don't you keep your elitist, derogatory comments to yourself and for the persons whom really deserve them.

Congratulations and good luck to Tim and all the other team members who are ascending and descending the mountain today.

[bill]

Matthew = Andy........sorry Matthew...^^^^^^^^^^^^

[Andy- Not a Fan of Tim]

Tim put a lot of people at risk last year with his selfish actions- I wish he was not allowed back on the mountain after disregarding Russell's orders....sorry if you think I'm being negative- but if you allow yourself to be on a TV show, you are open to public criticism...

ps. Funny to be accused of narcissism, when I haven't ever set foot in front of a TV camera

[Matthew Montoney]

Is all good Bill, I'm with ya!. Andy,... whatever dude.

[steve blethyn]

Guys please! Can we stop the b1tching at each other and lets not spoil a good site. Suffice to say that yes, Tim may have been wrong last year but like I said earlier 8000m can do strange things to a person, experienced or not. Russell is pleased to have him back and I'm pleased he made it. Lets just stick to what’s important from now on...EVEREST!

PS Great stuff Greg keep it up!

[Renee]

Andy, I have to say that I agree with you. I hope that the show follows the climbers like Mogens and David who are not kings of drama but seem to have a respect for the mountain and for Russell and his rules.

I still say focus on the Sherpas as they are the true backbone of any of these expeditions. I love that David choose not to complete the double traverse becasue he recognized he was physically spent but also because he could not ask Phurba to step aside and let David summit first so David could ahve the record. That is what I want this series to focus on. The Sherpa's and the people who treat the mountain with the respect that it deserves.

Great that every one summited safely. I hope that team 2 has similar success. I just hope that I see more of David and Mogens on my tv screen then Tim.

[Laura Wolf]

Wonderful news, congrats to everyone...and good luck to team two. We'll be anxiously awaiting word of their success as well. Greg, thanks for the great posts.

[A Tim sponsor]

So Editor, you're saying that staying up all night was not a good idea? :)

Go Team Go! This is such fantastic news! It's been such fun tracking everyone's progress after getting to 'know' them a bit on the Discovery series last year.

And a huge thank you to the guides and Sherpas for all of their incredible work! And Russell for everything! And Greg and the Editor for posting!

**I am sure Tim or anyone needs no defense from me, but here goes anyway. I would humbly suggest to Andy or anyone else who feels as he does about any members of the team to watch the Discovery channel Sherpa cam footage. No offense to the Discovery Channel (that's Hollywood so to speak) but of course they aired pieces of the climb that would seem most exciting to watch. If the footage is watched in it's entirety, not everything is exactly as it appeared to be on tv. Imagine that! And I personally do not believe Russell would have put his reputation at risk if he thought there was going to be a problem. So all is good!

[marie]

The way Greg has been relaying the climb, I feel as if I summitted today!! I'm so happy for Tim and the rest of team 1, congrats to all. Glad to hear that Mogens has decided to use O's for his summit attempt. Best wishes for a safe climb team 2! Thank you Greg for the blogs that won't keep us waiting until the series airs in the fall...I don't think that I could have waited until then!!

[mjb]

how do you get the entire footage? I don't think it is on the DVD's

[marie]

Tim sponsor... I agree with you on the editing of Tim and Gerard's snow slope drama. I do believe that what we watched unfold on t-v for almost an entire episode actually only lasted around 30 minutes. Editing does funny things.

[marie]

mjb- I think that the Discovery store has it..check the main page.

[Kris]

Congrats team 1!! I wish you all a safe trip down. Good luck team 2. My son and I are cheering for your summit and safe return. :-)
Kris

[Kat]

Excellent news. We'll be waiting anxiously for word of their safe descent. Congrats to the team on a really great accomplishment!

Good luck to those in the 2nd team.

[Trisha]

mjb: All 60 hours of footage from the Sherpa cams are on the Sherpa Cam interactive, linked from this blog. It wasn't possible to recreate the interactivity of that feature on the DVD, so it's exclusive to the Web site.

[The Dalls]

Congratulations to everyone who touched the top of the world today. It must feel amazing. Since watching last years climb earlier this year (in the UK) we as a family have been glued to Greg's posts. I guess unless you have been in a situation, you'll never know how you'll react, so Tim, you're a stubborn ***, but you wouldn't be walking today if you weren't. Glad Mogens is taking oxygen. Best wishes and safe return to all Sherpas and climbers.

[tim's mom]

TODAY IS ONE OF THE HAPPIEST DAYS OF MY LIFE. THANK YOU RUSSELL FOR GIVING MY SON TIM ANOTHER CHANCE. THANK YOU CHRIS FOR YOUR DAILY UPDATES WITHOUT THEM I WOULD ONLY BE GUESSING. THANK YOU TO ALL FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF TIM WHO HAVE SUPPORTED HIM IN THIS ADVENTURE. NO ONE KNOWS HIM LIKE I DO SO PLEASE NO NEGATIVITY.
FROM TIMS SISTER MY BROTHER, MY HERO CONGRADULATIONS TO A MAN WHO ACCOMPLISHES EVERYTHING HE SETS OUT TO DO AND NEVER GIVES UP.

[Andrew Tiedt]

Discovery Team, Where's the update for the May 21st summit,
Your killin' me here, Tell us how it all went up there.
Good luck and be safe team two.

[one of tim's fans]

WOWOWOOWOWOWOOWWWOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! Well done Tim!