Our thoughts & prayers are with you as you continue your quest to the top!
Glad you are feeling strong. Best of luck & be safe.

Deb, KRisten & Danielle

Hi Pat, We are sending you our well wishes for the climbing ahead of you, a slow pace is okay, so breathe and look up!
Ann and Graham

Wow, your photo, along with learning that you cross more than 40 ladders gives all of us around the world a better understanding of your challenge. Although I have been to EBC and viewed the icefall, and watched the Sherpas carrying off those long ladders, I had no idea there were so many of them installed for you to cross. I have especially enjoyed the descriptions/details/insights you and your team mates have shared in your journals. As you continue to the top, I feel like I have gotten to know "who you are" and that makes your adventure even more exciting to follow! Have a great day of rest -- stay strong -- and know that positive energy is going your way.
Dena

Hi Pat

It is exciting to read that you made it to Camp 2 safely . Enjoy your rest day and continue to move slowly and safely. I am sure that many of your well wishers on the blog feel the same as I do that now that you need to really conserve energy and body heat do not feel it necessary to respond to everyone of us personally. I hope you think of all your messages as the closest we all can be to the base of Mt. Everest cheering you on to the summit. Looking forward everyday to reading your messages. Also extend my cheers and best wishes to everyone else in your group.

Take care stay safe and focused
Susan Danieley

Getting ready to watch the All star race from Charlotte- Lowes Motor Speedway- I'll cheer Jeff on for you. Can't wait to see the NASCAR flag with you at the top of the World. We're all following every minute..... waiting to catch your good news.

There was a story on the news tonight about an 18 year old girl who just Summitted Everest- - I wonder if you saw her in your travels over the last few weeks. The story really brought out the uniqueness of those special driven folks like yourself who have sought to master the 7 summits of the world. No mention of the Nursing shortage ....sorry to say we will continue to work on the Summitt Scholarship and keep spreading the word about the importance of nurses! Be safe my friend.

Paula

Hi Pat
Saw your brother today and realized how close you are to your goal. Great photo of your foot... oh yeah and the crevasse too. Take care, good luck on the weather.
Steve Brathwaite

Hey Pat
Glad you are safe at Camp II - can't resist giving the narrative from the following web page. Others may know it, but some may be tuning in again after a break. Here is the way others have described what you are experiencing and what is before you for Camp III. You can edit and add your experience. I have not been successful in retrieving the audio blogs - but it might be something with my home system (I will try it at work on Monday). I also had tried to post to the scholarship last week, and that page was down - will try again this week (probably user error - huh?!)

I was in downtown Denver today(and past 3 days) experiencing positive vibes from fellow nurses and administrators who work in ambulatory surgery settings. All of them acknowledge the nursing shortage and the impact to them (having to train people into OR technique since they can no longer "steal" from the main OR staff - it is getting very short! Who will take care of us as we age?! Your scholarship is so important as are the other funds that are working toward training nurses. Your efforts to reach the summit will make a difference in voicing the need for more nurses and the value of nursing (differentiating our talents from the other healthcare professions - a different sort of passion, huh?!).
I will keep it shorter as you climb (well, can I promise that? I am thinking of you and want to tell you what seems to fit!) - but as a day of rest, thought I would post a bit of a narrative. Rest up - and energize! We are all with you.
Bonnie

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/everest/climb/waytosummitsou.html
The Western Cwm (between camp I and camp II – (20,000 to 21,300 ft)
See Western Cwm QTVR
Often called the "Valley of Silence," the Western Cwm is a broad, flat, gently undulating glacial valley basin terminating at the foot of the Lhotse Face. The central section is cut by massive lateral crevasses which bar entrance into the upper Western Cwm. In this section, climbers must cross to the far right, over to the base of Nuptse to a narrow passageway known as the Nuptse corner. From here, climbers have a stupendous view of the upper 8,000 feet of Everest -- the first glimpse of Everest's upper slopes since arriving at Base Camp. The last 5,000 feet on Everest, including its distinct black pyramid summit, are not visible from Base Camp. Contrary to what most people believe, some of the most difficult days on Everest are in the Western Cwm, when on a windless day it is desperately hot. Says David Breashears, "You literally pray for a puff of wind or a cloud to cover the sun so you can keep moving up to Advance Base Camp."

Climb South: Camp III
The expansive western flank of Lhotse is called the Lhotse Face and is an unavoidable part of the traditional southeast route up Everest. Camp III sits about halfway up this ascending wall of glacial blue ice. From its bergshrund (base) to the top, the Lhotse Face rises some 3,700 feet, at 40 and 50-degree pitches with some occasional 80-degree bulges. The entire route is fixed with ropes, and climbers must get into the rhythmic movement of pulling and stepping up. Kicking steps, while lodging one's front points into the hard blue ice, is the predominant movement required for this unrelenting ascent up towards the South Col.
The Lhotse Face See Camp III QTVR
The expansive western flank of Lhotse is called the Lhotse Face and is an unavoidable part of the traditional southeast route up Everest. Camp III sits about halfway up this ascending wall of glacial blue ice. From its bergshrund (base) to the top, the Lhotse Face rises some 3,700 feet, at 40 and 50-degree pitches with some occasional 80-degree bulges. The entire route is fixed with ropes, and climbers must get into the rhythmic movement of pulling and stepping up. Kicking steps, while lodging one's front points into the hard blue ice, is the predominant movement required for this unrelenting ascent up towards the South Col.

I'm trying to picture where you're at, and what you're doing , Pat. After 2 months of sharing you're routine, it was becoming easy to imagine what was going on. Now that things are happening fast, we can only wonder. Also, we were lulled into that very routine, and what you're doing now is rather heavy-duty. Be safe-our prayers are with you. Keep your head on straight-safety before glory. David

Hi Pat,

My whole family and all of my friends have been following your blog daily--it's the most excitement we seen in a long time. Now the time has come and we all want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and you team daily. There have been several reports in the news lately about yet another successful climber making it up that little hill and we are confident that you all will be next. Good luck to you and your entire team! Gene
(USC, Columbia, SC, USA)

Hi Pat,
I have been thinking about the sense of anticipation you must be feeling right now. I know it can become quite overwhelming in these moments. I hope you can stay focussed and continue to make the right decisions over the coming days.

I am looking forward to reading your next update and to following your progress right up to the summit.

Be well
Gavin