New audio update from TA on Pumori.

This is the text of TA’s audio message:

Hi this is TA calling in from Pumori base camp.  I had hoped to call this in from camp one but when I arrived there the ledge was quite small and I needed to descend to beat the afternoon winds.  Today is October 24th, those that know me well know that I like to mark the 24th of each month, because why just have one big birthday when you can have one big one and 11 mini ones.  Today, Pumori gave me an amazing birthday, the weather could not have been better and I reached my summit for this climb.

As I hiked over the mangled rocks on my way down and reflected on my day, I realized we don’t always get the summit we want, but perhaps we get the summit we need.  Today by climbing solo I got the summit I needed.  In some ways Everest knocked my confidence down a few notches and I was wanting to participate in this Pumori expedition to bring it back up.

I started out this morning without a goal, I knew I wanted to go uphill, take some pictures and savor the day.  The route to camp one has shifted somewhat, resulting in an unrelenting steep climb all the way to camp one.  It was new to me to be entirely on my own in the mountains and it was a great opportunity to put all my learning and experience to the test as I negotiated the variety of terrain underfoot.  The higher I climbed the more interesting the terrain got, and some required me to put all my skills to use.  As well the higher I climbed the more committed I became to reaching camp one.  I wanted to see the amazing tent platforms, and amazing they where.  I became the first in our group outside the Sherpa’s to see camp one, I’m eager to post the pictures once I reach the internet.

Speaking of the Sherpa’s they are so fabulous and strong.  The climb I did today they have been doing on a daily basis their strength, resolves, and helpfulness is legendary.  Today Jangbu was coming down after carrying rope to the Sherpa’s pushing the route to camp two.  He offered at advanced base camp to carry my loaded backpack down.  I wanted to carry it as a way to complete the experience, I carried it up, I wanted to carry it down.  Yet Jangbu asked four times if it was possible to take my bag, I relented in a small way and allowed him to take my boots down as they where perched precariously on the outside of my pack.  I was on the move for nearly 8 hours today and felt strong throughout, until I was about 10 minutes away from base camp when the fatigue finally caught up.

I carried the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation flag to camp one today, as well I took a string of prayer flags up to fly from the summit like the climb logo that I designed.  With the intention of remembering all those who have been affected by breast cancer.  Hugo has offered to carry both the flag and the prayer flags to the summit for me.  I hope and pray that the weather and conditions come together to allow as many of my teammates to reach the summit and safe return.  With each step I took today, and during the entire expedition, and each step that my teammates take over the next week, each step is dedicated to a future without breast cancer.  I hope you will consider supporting the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation in honor of this climb.

So the mountain gave me a mighty gift today, the summit push is one day further delayed so there is absolutely no way I could have stayed and tried to summit and still make the 3M retreat.  Today drained my sadness with each step upward, tomorrow I start trekking downhill with fine memories of both today and the entire expedition

God speed to my teammates, good night, and I will catch you from the trek down

TA

Support Pumori: Climb for Awareness.  100% of the money raised during this climb goes to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.  If you have given already, thank you and please tell your friends and family to give also.  We need your support. 

Click here https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/startup.aspx?eventid=21241 to donate online and click http://www.taloeffler.com here for a downloadable donation form.