Hard Decision

< Newer | Older > Sat, 05/15/2010 - 07:40 — taloeffler

New audio update from TA on Everest.

 

This is the text of TA’s audio message:

Hi this is TA calling in from Everest base camp; yup you heard right Everest base camp.  I had to abandon my summit bid due to a complex bunch of factors, some relating to a sense of a lack of resiliency and not being sure it made sense to go up to 8000m without a deep well of reserve.  Recognizing how tied my body was from fighting all these infections, living at altitude for seven weeks and I’m not sure I exactly remembered why I wanted to climb the mountain, and I couldn’t reconcile taking that kind of risk without a clear picture of why I was doing so.  So I elected to head back down through the ice fall for the last time so I am through safely, and had a wonderful reunion with Marian, Tim, and Nadia.  Its an exciting day in base camp as we have 3 team members on the South Col, resting and hydrating in hopes of a summit bid tonight.  My teammates are up at camp 3 now, doing the same resting and hydrating.  So that’s the scoop, I’m sure over the next few days I will be sharing much more reflection on all of this, but I just wanted you to know that I’m safe and sound and I will be in more close contact very soon.  Thanks, bye

TA

Messages

Wise Decision

Shelagh — Sat, 05/15/2010 - 11:41

I'm so relieved to hear you are safely back in BC. No doubt a tough decision....but definitely a wise one in these circumstances. I know you worked hard and long for this goal and yet you still knew enough to know when to move on. Looking forward to hearing more about your climb and what it was like for you up there.

Glad to hear you are back down in one piece

Paul Adler — Sat, 05/15/2010 - 12:23

Glad to hear you are back down in one piece, but at the same time sorry that you had to turn around.
I still often get asked if it was hard turning around in 2006 when I tried again for the summit (the day after running out of oxygen on the South Summit). And the answer is no. It was an easy decision, and with the benefit of hindsight and despite all the effort, money and time that it took to get there and then also to do it all again before finally getting to the top, it was still the right decision. Up high it's not like running a marathon where you can push yourself to your limit, knowing that expert medical help is right on hand. You need to be self sufficient and if you get to a situation where you can't move under your own steam, then you can't count on people to be able to rescue you.
I hope you look back on this decision with no regret, and of course, I do hope you come back and try again sometime.

Relieved

sarah — Sat, 05/15/2010 - 12:28

Jill, Dallas, TX
So glad to know you are safe and sound. You did your best under the circumstances! Making it to Camp 3 even once is nothing to sneeze at!

Take your time

Alan Arnette — Sat, 05/15/2010 - 18:21

TA,

As someone who has turned around 3 times, I feel significant empathy for your situation. Take your time and process the experience as your mind allows. Don't rush to judgment or conclusions. I think your were wise to focus on what drove you since that drive would be needed later. Remember we are all proud of you, no matter what.

Alan

hard decision, right decision!!

book — Sun, 05/16/2010 - 05:01

take some ''time out'' with your friends. be proud of what you have accomplished over the last few years. kindest regards.[ken.nz]

So Proud

Shelagh — Sun, 05/16/2010 - 12:58

I second Alan's remark...we ARE all proud of you!

Always a good decision

Mike Brennan — Sun, 05/16/2010 - 20:56

I second everything Paul A has said.....I turned back twice in '04 and then '06, that last time 200m or so shy of the top, and found it in myself to go back one more time in '08 and managed to summit. Much as I might have agonised about the whys and wherefores of those decisions, if they were right at the time, then they were RIGHT.
Be proud of what you have achieved, hold the memories in your heart and head...and if you ever come back again, then great, if you don't, then that will be great too...it's a big worls out there, full of "Everests".

Well done for trying your best, I've enjoyed following you (so far....)

Mike B