The Adventurist: A Call to All Outdoor Writers and Photographers!

I have just put the finishing touches on a new “Submit & Contact” Page here at The Adventurist.  I am hoping that this new feature will be accepted and used by all of my great readers.

This page goes into detail about a few things I am looking for here at The Adventurist–and ways you might be able to get involved.

Do you love Adventure Writing or perhaps Great Outdoors Photography?–Help me share your incredible talents with a much bigger audience!

Head on Over to the “Submit & Contact” Page, found on a tab right up above this article, and Share your Adventures with the World!

Also, if you are looking to put me to work, there is info there as well….

Cheers-

J. Alan Hendricks, Editor

Everest 2007 Update: Summits and Death on Everest

Everyone knew that lastnight was going to be as busy or busier than the night before on the world’s highest mountain.  Here is a rundown to get everyone up to date on the happenings on Mt. Everest lastnight.

Sadly, Three People Have Died

It is being widely reported that there were a few deaths on Everest lastnight.  Two Koreans and a Japanese climber perished.  Here is what is known at this time:

The Koreans–Ho Hee-Joon, 37, as well as Lee Hyun-Jo, 35, both perished from a rockfall incident.  The two climbers were well respected in the climbing community and had many accomplishments under their belts.  They were both members of Park Young-Seok’s Expedition. Ho Hee-Joon had successfully summited 10 of the world’s 14 8,000 meter peaks and was making an attempt at his 11th, Everest.  The two were climbing from the Southwest Face and the accident occured between 7,700 and 8,300 meters.  At this time it is not known if the two were ascending or descending.

The third climber to perish lastnight on Everest was a 62 year old Japanese climber that died just a few meters from the summit upon his descent.

Yoshitomi Okura, had successfully summited Everest but died while trying to descend.  A sherpa tried to help him out but it was to late.  Mr. Okura was a member of the Tokyo based Adventure Guides Co. and he had successfully climbed Cho Oyu in 2003 and was making his 3rd attempt on Everest.

Many people lastnight were mentioning that there had been reports of death and perhaps a high-altitude rescue in progress.  At this time, with the names being released, I can confirm the three deaths.  The rescue attempt that many were noticing from below, could very well have been from one of these incidents.

Alan Arnette, is also reporting two more incidents-One involving a Japanese Girl on the North Side and the other a Czech climber.  I have not been able to confirm either of these at this time.

With so many people heading to the summit at once, news of this nature is not unusual.  In the coming days, I am sure more facts will be coming out related to these accidents.

The Adventurist gives it’s condolences to the family, friends, and associates of these fallen climbers and our prayers are with you tonight.

Now on to the good news..

SUMMITS GALORE!!

The night began rather quickly lastnight with teams on the North and South both looking for their summit pushes.

SuperSherpas and Mountain Madness teamed up to place all of each teams members at the summit from the South.  Apa, from SuperSherpas, claimed his 17th Everest summit breaking his own world record for most Everest summits ever.  Lhakpa Gelu, his partner, claimed his 13th successful summit of Everest.

Following this news came the news that fellow Sherpa, Tashi Tenzing, had made a successful summit as well along with his client.  This is reportedly Tashi’s last time on Everest.  Tashi Tenzing is Tenzing Norgay’s grandson, the man who first stepped upon the summit of Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary.

So the night began very historical in nature..

Other teams to summit included a team of Philipine Women, who were the only other team besides David Tait to traverse Everest this season and go from one side to the other…they also became the first women to ever do so.  Great Job ladies.

Other climbers of note to summit:

Andy Pizzarro of Learning Without Limits as well as Andy van der Velde from South Africa.

Overall there were roughly another 50 summits coming from the North as well as 27 coming from the South.  In the coming days more will be said about this courageous night.

Don’t Think it is Over though

We have just crossed the 100 summits mark on Everest this season, but as EverestNews reminds us, last year there were around 480 successful summits.  They are also speculating that there could be anywhere from 1-200 more summits coming in the next two days.

The deaths reported on Everest lastnight, anywhere from 3-5 depending on the sources, will put the total of deaths on Everest at roughly half of what they were last season at 11.  If you will remember, Dawa Sherpa perished earlier this season and up until lastnight night had been the only confirmed death on Everest.

As far as the two Koreans who died, sources are saying that their bodies will be brought back down for proper burial, so there will be some activity in that direction in the coming days.

For everyone that summited lastnight:  CONGRATULATIONS!  and for all the ones to come: GOOD LUCK< The World is watching!

Everest 2007 Update: Mass Exodus For Summit, as Day 2 Summit Push Begins

Day two is shaping up to be busier than today as far as Everest and the push for the summit go.

From the North Side, there will possibly be another 50-60 people attempting the climb up the North Ridge Route, and from the South, many are expecting the same.

Here are the teams to look for:

From the North

The female team of Philipines are sitting at 8300 meters now and are planning their final push tonight.  Also on the North, Cato Pederson, will be planning his “Unarmed” Everest Push has he tries to make a successfull summit attempt after losing both of his arms many years ago.  Other teams:

Manny Pizzaro, SummitClimb (second phase), Scottish Scouts, Nives Meroi and Romana Benet, as well as Kari Kobler to name a few…

From the South Col

Supersherpas, who will be ascending around 9 pm tonight, IMG, Adventure Consultants, Exploradus…all of them are in the works to make an attempt, if not tonight, then definately by morning.

The Weather

As mentioned earlier today, many expeditions and climbers are predicting a small 48 hour window here before bad weather sets back in.  Many teams are trying a scramble for the top, while others are trying to use their “sixth sense” and hope for a better opportunity and hopefully less crowds as well..

It is noted that after David Tait successfully crossed from the North Ridge to The South Col and eventually down to Camp 2–that the teams on the South have been busy, busy.  David was able to break trail and fix the rest of the ropes that the South needed in order to finish their push to the summit.   The South now has plenty of trail to follow and ropes leading their way..

Great job David on making this all possible and jumpstarting the South Summit Push as well..

As Always I will bring you the latest as I hear it.

17 Summit Everest From Large Chinese Expedition!

ExplorersWeb is reporting that 17 individuals made the summit of Mt. Everest this morning from the large Chinese Expedition.

Few details are known at this time, other than what David Tait is reporting from his current Expedition Blog:

“This morning the enormous Chinese team succeeded in placing 17 beaming climbers on what appears to be a windy summit. My congratulations to them all - a great effort.”

The Chinese Expedition, if you will remember, has been trying to do a practice run up Everest in anticipation of bringing the 2008 Chinese Olympic Torch to the summit.  It now seems like that practice run has been successful.

Over the past few days teams on the North Side have held up any plans for the summit due to high winds–60 knots at some times–that could actually take a climber off his feet.

Most are anticipating a window in the weather to open up right around May 16.

The 17 Chinese Climbers should bring this seasons summiters to a total of 26 now from the North Side, including 5 Sherpa.

Everest 2007 Update: Two More Summits and More…

Greg Child of the Discovery Channel Team is reporting that two more Sherpa have summited Everest–supposedly May 2nd:

“I’ve learned of another pair of successful summit climbs that occurred on May 2, when two Sherpas (names as yet unknown to me) with a large Indian expedition reached the top. The Sherpas left a statue of Buddha on the summit for Buddha’s birthday.”

Alan Arnette had  stated that after 7 people had summited last week, that it was only a matter of time before the Chinese and Indian teams both began their race to the top–looks like the teams themselves will be trying for a window any day now after the two Indian Sherpas have now made it successfully.

Also, Dutch climber Wim Hoff was spotted today–doing exactly as he said–trying to climb Everest in shorts.  Greg Childs, from the Discovery Channel team had a brief discussion with Wim about his crazy idea to summit Everest in shorts this season–and is quite entertaining.

One word of note concerning Wim Hoff, when he was spotted, he was sitting at 22,000 feet with nothing on but shorts–no shirt.  I am not to sure how Wim’s attempt will go down if he indeed does do this because, to me, this is not a true record…only a gimmick–but hey, IT IS Wim Hoff, if anyone can do it he can, and I wish him the best.

David Tait is reporting in his blog update today that the massive Chinese team is preparing to launch their summit bid, perhaps as early as tomorrow–May 9th.  David is also contemplating an earlier departure for the summit bid for himself and his Sherpa climbing partner–than the rest of the Himex Team.

It seems like many of the teams are suggesting a possible summit window opening May 12-16.  With this date being spoken throughout quite a few camps, it will set the stage for a very crowded climb towards the summit this weekend.

Sir Edmund Hillary: Your Thoughts, Your Prayers

It is being widely reported today that Sir Edmund Hillary has been injured in a fall.  Sir Hillary was the first person, along with his climbing sherpa Tenzing Norgay, to summit Mt. Everest.  It has been noted that Hillary is not suffering “Life-Threatening” injuries and that his progress is going well.

Hillary is 87 years old and has recently taken up walking with a cane.  It is also being reported that Sir Edmund Hillary has been suffering from High Altitude Sickness for a number of years now.

In due respect for what Sir Edmund Hillary has come to mean and represent in the climbing community, I thought that it would be a good time for all of my loyal readers here at The Adventurist to wish Sir Edmund Hillary the best.  Today we keep you in all of our thoughts and prayers! 

You, the reader, may post your thoughts, prayers, and good wishes upon Sir Edmund Hillary here, as we all come together to wish him a fast recovery

The Complete Coverage! Everest 2007!

The Complete Coverage!  Everest 2007!  Click here!

As many of you might know, a couple of months back I mentioned that I would be setting up a Page on The Adventurist for the Everest 2007 Climbing season.

This page will be similar to the page covering the Mt. Hood Tragedy I covered in 2006 offering up all the links and stories as we publish them in one easily located space.

What this does is it allows all of my loyal readers an easier way to follow along with the Everest 2007 season as it happens, as well as lets you keep track of what HAS happened up to the latest story.  At the top of this site, you will now see a headline that reads “The Complete Coverage!  Everest 2007!  Click Here!”, by clicking this, you will now have access to every story concerning the 2007 Everest Climbing season.

I hope you enjoy this convenient way of staying on track with the happenings on Everest this season.  It is really shaping up to be a great season with many stories breaking daily.  You will now find them all here!

The Adventure Blog Suspends Operations…..

My good friend Kraig over at The Adventure Blog has just informed all of his readers (including myself) that his blog has gone on hiatus, just as he made his 1000th post!

Now the 1000th blog post should be something celebrated.  It takes an awful lot of time and dedication to get to that point–So why the “break” Kraig?

Well it seems he has booked himself on an African adventure of a lifetime.  His goal?  Mt. Kilimajaro.  This will be Kraig’s first attempt at a big peak and he is promising a big adventure update on his site in two weeks.

The Adventurist would like to wish him luck and safe travel both to and from Africa and Mt. Kilimanjaro!

While I am on the subject of my blogging friends, I would like to mention Alan Arnette’s site today as well.  He has a great article on Miss Elizabeth Hawley…

If you have climbed an 8,000er in the Himalayas then you will know the name, and if not…well you weren’t alone.

It seems Miss Hawley is THE Himalayan journalist living in Nepal.  She has covered Mt. Everest and the surrounding areas for magazines such as TIME and the American Alpine Journal for well over 40 years  (47 to be exact).

I suggest all of you head on over to Alan’s and read this great article…Miss Hawley can make or break a climbers career..and she has never climbed a mountain in her life….

Mayor and Former Deputy Minister to each try Everest in 2007

It seems like EVERYONE is wanting there shot at Everest this season.  I mentioned Orlando Bloom yesterday, and today news reports are circulating that the Mayor of Prague is leaving in two weeks for his attempt at the world’s highest mountain.

The Mayor of Prague, Pavel Bem, has been given an unpaid leave of absence from his city duties to take part in this season on Everest. 

His absence from Prague is disapproved by some in his country as wel as by the King himself, but this is not going to stop Pavel Bem from trying one of his life long dreams.

Also, Former Deputy Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Khalid Yunus, has arrived in Kathmandu for his attempt on Everest as well.  It seems like the politicians are trying to draw attention to their respected countries by doing something that few people ever have the chance to do–Climb Everest.

Datuk Khalid Yunus said that he is climbing Everest to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Independence of Malaysia.

Both of these stories are coming from the ABC of Mountaineering website.

How many Expeditions to Everest in 2007?

A visitor stopped by and posed this question:  “How many people will be climbing this year?”

As most of you will probably know there has been a great debate raging over whether or not there is getting to be to many people trying to scale Everest.  Well, here are a few numbers for you:

As I have it right now, there are going to be 32 teams trying to ascend this year..as far as a team is concerned, it can consist of 0ne person or well over twenty or more. 

David Tait is going by himself, as is Gavin Bates…but then you have HIMEX or the 7 Summits team that are well equipped with over 20..so at this point it would really be hard to put up an exact number. 

Take in to account all of the Sherpa people that are involved with each climb and team, plus that some people going will presumably have to turn back due to sickness at basecamp or above, and you can see where I am coming from…

Last year there were 410 summitters, and 11 deaths.  The ratio of summits per deaths has risen substantially over the last few years..it use to be one in four would die trying…now it is more like 1 in 10 as an average.

The reason why there seems to be a lot of deaths as of late could very well correspond with the number of climbers attempting to summit, all within about a two week period.

The race will be on once again this year with HIMEX leading the way and laying the ropes, as they usually do, and setting the climbing schedule for most of the teams.

The camps are being set and stocked as we speak, teams are arriving in Kathmandu and the surrounding areas by the day–and before long there will be a full blitz to basecamp.

Hopefully this year will be a safe climbing season–but going on statistics alone–it might be interesting to see how this season compares to last year and whether or not any slight changes will be made if a climber does go down on the mountain.

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