May 17, C2

< Newer | Older > Sat, 05/17/2008 - 14:12 — Angus Murray

May 17
C2
Thanks to everyone for all your emails. Great to hear from such a wide cross section of my friends (that includes former students Dave Greene.) And yes, the 21st is an auspicious date Ali Wiley, as our Kili team summited 4 months ago on that date. Even though the Lhotse Face is pretty exposed I did have a kilometer wide smile ( to quote Jeremy Pryor) as I climbed it, I am so fortunate to be here. So, back at C2 at 6400 m. We climbed here in 6 1/2 hours, leaving at 5 am to beat the heat. I can feel the weather changing, yesterday at base camp was so warm we all crashed in our tents mid day. Each time through the ice fall I have worn fewer clothes. The western Cwm is a massive reflection oven during the day, any exposed skin is fried. Our team is in great shape, I have been very fortunate in that our base camp group (12 on our permit and in our mess tent) are a diverse, sociable group. We had more parties (3) than the rest of base camp combined!
Today we lit some juniper at our chorten and circled it once before leaving so that the spirits would be with us. The icefall was smooth sailing today, no line ups at the horizontal and vertical ladders. When we arrived at C1 we had a bit of a breeze in the Cwm so we didn't get roasted like we did on the way down from C3 to BC. ( It was still quite warm however.)
Time for bed.
Angus

Messages

I know you will ....

kevinf — Sat, 05/17/2008 - 23:39

be successful and safe. Thinking of you and Scott lots these last days. Looking forward to many long tales over a bottle of scotch on a northern river. All is great here, land of milk and honey as far as I am concerned. The new house sits on the edge of the park, half the crew from OB days of yor live within walking distance; paddling, skiing, mtn biking etc all out the back door - literally. Be safe Angus, take good care of each other, I will follow your trip closely from here on in and look forward to seeing you and Scott safe and sound back in the land of rock and river and snow.
Flesh Eater Farrell

Good luck!

Visitor — Sun, 05/18/2008 - 01:52

Good luck Angus! As Dave said...'go kick some butt!!!'

Congratulations, Angus.

Visitor — Thu, 05/22/2008 - 17:14

Congratulations, Angus. Well done! Happy that you summitted, and happier that you made it back successfully.
Helen Harper

Yahoo!

Visitor — Thu, 05/22/2008 - 19:28

Just want to add my congratulations. You inspire us all.
We look forward to the pictures and stories!
(Rev) Jim Holland

GUSTAV THE GREAT!!!

david zolf — Fri, 05/23/2008 - 13:36

Gus, my official brother-in-law of 4 yrs & surrogate bro of 26 years,

Congratulations on successfully completing an incredibly demanding & rewarding mental/physical challenge!!!(sounds too serious, eh??)

it must have been so beautiful to be on top with a panoramic view of the mtns... mtns are an awe-inspiring phenomen!!
i have been quietly watching (apologies?), on the sidelines your progress, supporting myself and your little "cherub" of a sister, Loll (Laura).
We and i, love you very much and are glad you are safer now.
Watch out for any "Abominable Snowmen" waiting to give you an "atomic wedgie" in the icefall crevasses on your way to base camp!!
I too have been climbing a mtn of my own (career change) these last 2 weeks- i have an interv on mon at prov hlthcare- so when you "catch your
breath" literally, please send some +ve vibes if you can.
Tash Delay(sp?- Tibetan for peace go with you) & Le Chaim (To Lilfe)!!
Take care of yourself and we will see you soon, you big lug!!
Love David Zolf xooxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxooxoxoxoxoooxoxooxoxoxox
P.S. In the spirtit of Murray adoration of all things "tacky" - Lollipop (laura) is going to a "High Heel/Aerating Front Lawn" party on sun in full tacky regalia!!
I am listening to REM as we speak and thinking of you even more.
HI to Geoff and Jeremy and any other XMAS PUB CRAWL ALUMNI -thank you for your support and well wishes. PUB CRAWL THIS DECEMBER??