Pu Mori Acclimitization Hike

< Newer | Older > Wed, 04/18/2007 - 12:40 — Patrick

Mike, myself, and Ward with Khumbu in background. Taken from Mt. Pu Mori.Day #22

Location: Mt. Everest Basecamp
Altitude: 5364m
Local Time: 6:30pm / April 18
Weather: Cool (40's) windy/snow

Today was an acclimitization hike up to basecamp on Mt. Pu Mori. Our heighest altitude today was 5850m and we turned back for Mt. Everest basecamp as the weather changed with high winds and blowing snow. We had great views of the Khumbu icefall and if the weather had been clearer we might have been able to see the route to the top of Mt. Everest.

Tomorrow is our official puja/blessing for our climbing team and will report on that activity on the next blog.

After the puja we are allowed to sleep higher on the mountain so anticipate that in the next few weeks we will be visiting camps 1, 2, and 3. More on that schedule soon.

In the meantime we continue to do well as the food has been great, opportunities for cleaning clothes and selves abundant, and lots of camarederie exists as we are getting to know each other very well through playing card/board games, exchanging photos of loved ones, and watching movies on dvd players (7" screen) nightly. Tonight's movie was "The Departed".

Take care and will respond to posted statements by tomorrow.

Pat :>)

Messages

Who's the short guy?

Visitor — Wed, 04/18/2007 - 13:22

Good morning sweetie! Are you living in the land of giants? Mike and Ward appear to be towering over you-you look like Kurt in your family's pic at our wedding reception. But, you look wonderful and tall in my eyes.
Remember when I met your family for the 1st time and found out that I'd gotten the "runt" of the litter? However, I have never been disappointed in my selection!
Carol

Small packages

Mary Clare Reinhardt — Wed, 04/18/2007 - 21:11

Hi Carol
And of course "good things come in small packages".

Hi friend

Marywess — Wed, 04/18/2007 - 13:37

I have the Power Point for N 212 on a flash drive, I can give this to you, Linda's is about the same. that way you will have 2 copies, I also have all the tests on the flash drive, and they did seem to be fine. We revised tests, made them more relevant to today's reality in nursing. Bell Curve was there. I will be glad to help you if needed. Keep up your wonderful spirit, enjoy yourself and above all, "walk carefully" May God walk with you every step.

I thought the same thing

Bill and Michele — Wed, 04/18/2007 - 15:45

I thought the same thing Carol did, how tall are they? I sent Paul a post asking about the blue rectangles. We watched The Departed a couple weeks ago, good movie. Sounds like you are enjoying basecamp and all the interesting people you meet. How many people are at basecamp? You may have already said but I forgot. Keep on acclimating and it would take a giant of a man to fill your boots. Michele

Hello

USCh2oSkier — Wed, 04/18/2007 - 15:52

Your team members are huge, next time you can stand on a boulder to not look so short! Glad to hear EBC is still going great and that ya'll are enjoying your time! Your in our thoughts and prayers. I hope the puja goes well and that your journey stays safe! Keep pressing on!
-Alan Baker

Hi Pat I am following your

Visitor — Wed, 04/18/2007 - 16:51

Hi Pat I am following your climb daily. great descriptions.Dont be wearing damp clothes now your mother says so eh..your altitude is 5364m. What does m stand for? Keep safe. Helen.

Card playing

Visitor — Wed, 04/18/2007 - 17:18

Pat,
Are you polishing up your card/board game skills so that you can take on the Paulson clan when you return? Mom actually let me beat her at Cribbage last night! Hope you don't mind all the "short" jokes. You are all giants in my world.
Love you and look forward to our next call.
Carol

Hello!!

Visitor — Wed, 04/18/2007 - 21:02

Pat,
You are the most awesome perioperative nurse ever!!!! Make it the top of the world and come home safely. God Speed.
Jeanne

Soaring Eagle

Mary Clare Reinhardt — Wed, 04/18/2007 - 21:18

Hey Pat

As I was leaving my driveway today, I looked to the sky and saw the most majestic Bald Eagle. I stopped my car, got out and watched for several minutes as the eagle soared through the air. Such a beautiful site and I thought of you and all the Everest climbers and sherpas climbing to such tremendous heights.

The best to you,
MC

"The sheer joy of pursuing a dream should be as good as attaining it." mc

Being Short is Good

Visitor — Wed, 04/18/2007 - 22:04

Pat,
Look at all the attention you get when you are short.....isn't it great.
You are a tall man to me.............
Stay strong,
Kurt K.

Dynamite comes in small packages

Sandra D — Thu, 04/19/2007 - 00:44

Hi Pat, I thought you looked shorter too! Perhaps the folks with you are just very tall:) It looks like you may have dropped a few pounds. I hope you're getting plenty of food to eat and storing up those calories for the trek up the mountain. You know we're kidding you I hope! You always looked healthy to me:) The picture of the icefall is great. It truly looks like a floating river of ice! Can't wait to hear about the puja tomorrow!

Stay safe
Sandra

Hi Pat!

Visitor — Thu, 04/19/2007 - 03:13

Hey there! Hope you are doing well! A quick update on the USC front - We've got the webpages under development right this minute - haven't been able to get hold of Kate yet, but will keep trying! I'll have an update to the scholarship's progress very soon. Donations are coming in, and it's quite heartening.

Love the updates as always. Strange coincidence - I just watched "the Departed" last night too. Must have been transmitted.

Take good care, Pat. We're thinking of you always!
Liesl

wow

Deb — Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:00

Hey Pat!!! Wow you were playing board games. Since when have you done that. (must be the mountain air getting to you) I expect you to play with us when you get back. haha We lost to DF tonight that sucked but oh well.
Kristen

Finally catching up...

Brett Flashnick — Thu, 04/19/2007 - 05:41

Pat,
Glad to read that things are going well. I've been checking in since you left, and finally had a spare moment (even if it is almost 2am here) to sit down and send you a message. I have received several emails from the USA Today article about your climb, and goals for nursing, and I have forwarded them all to your website. You have been an inspiration to many out there who have read your story. I was inspired as well, and about two weeks ago I had my own little adventure, when I took a leap out of an airplane at 14,000 feet to celebrate my 26th birthday. Now that I have seen what 14,000 feet up really looks like, I have a whole new respect for the 29,000 you will be climbing. I have to say that all of the stories you have been telling are making me daydream of all the great photos I could be making. Perhaps I'll make Everest my 29th birthday adventure. I can't wait to see the poster for the Summit Scholarship, and talk to you more about photographing some medical mission work. As always my thoughts are with you.
Brett

Anna

JimShek — Thu, 04/19/2007 - 09:14

Just had a call from Anna (I think in your party)! Reception was pretty bad but it seems things are going well!. She says it will be OK to pass messages through your Blog - hope that's OK.
I like the detail in your posting and would like to copy some to the diary page of my site (PC2007) if that's OK with you?
I understand you are likely to be out of touch for the next 4 days - good luck - I'll be logging in each day to see how its goiing.
ATB
JS

Hi Pat!

Visitor — Thu, 04/19/2007 - 11:30

From your pals at Palmetto Health Richland! Our thoughts and prayers are with you--we can't wait to see you when you return! Take care and Be safe!

Theresa Altman

Back to your nose

Demento — Thu, 04/19/2007 - 19:08

Pat, don't sweat those "short" comments. Had that picture been taken from the side, and emphasized your faces, we would have seen who was bigger. Take it from one who knows. 19,000 feet-impressive! How did it feel walking up there? What's the highest you had ever been on previous climbs? How's your sleep? Love the pictures. David

from the Prov in SC

Visitor — Fri, 04/20/2007 - 17:06

Pat looks beautiful but maybe a little icy for a little midwestern boy like me. Keep those ropes on your butt tight. Have a great & safe time - don't melt yellow snow!
Rick

Hi Pat

Visitor — Fri, 04/20/2007 - 17:22

Hello; As I continue to check this site daily I am amazed at your skill and willpower! I wish you continued success and good health!( And please don't fall off any more ladders!)," Your Old Almonte Friend"...Sue

Oh boy! You are making me a nervous reck.

Visitor — Fri, 04/20/2007 - 18:55

Pat, you cannot be falling. Don't make me complete an incident report. I cannot check on you every day because all this stuff makes me nervous. You just better be MORE careful and I mean it! Don't make track you down. Take care. Minnie