EVEREST 2008: ENTER KATHMANDU–Climbers begin arriving..and STING, too

I am beginning to receive the first dispatches in regards to this season’s Mt. Everest climb. Climbers are beginning to trickle in to Kathmandu, where they are meeting up with teammates and guides–still trying to figure out just what kind of rules and stipulations will be enforced from May 1st-10th. Most are enjoying the sights and sounds of a new country. Little is being said about the recent ‘unrest’ in both Nepal and Tibet, and actually, at this moment most are surprised by how calm things are in the area.

From Alan Arnette:

“Most of my team have arrived and Thamel is bustling with fit looking climbers and trekkers on every corner. The shop owners are especially pleased to see their future customers and send a friendly shout out to each passerby. The pizza is still good at Fire & Ice. The one legged, nub armed man still begs outside. The dogs sleep soundly in the streets. And the motorcycles take the sidewalk when the roads get too congested. The editorial in the Kathmandu Post tells of the upcoming elections, a time for change and violence.

Alan goes on to talk a bit about some of the rumors concerning this season’s climb on Mt. Everest:

“There is a relaxed feeling in the air in spite of the tension this
year. Long time expedition leaders, local tour company owners and
people in the know such as Ms. Hawley are all nonchalant about the
rumors. It is what it is. Luckily here, the rumor mill is thwarted by
lack of blackberries and ubiquitous Internet connections. Mostly it is
word of mouth. Maybe better or worse but by the time you hear something
it feels more solid.

Perhaps this feeling Alan is talking about will help to settle some of the climbers’ minds–especially the ones making this journey for the first time. Alan has been there before. This is actually his third attempt on Mt. Everest, so it helps to bring a bit if insight into his reports. We will be keeping close tabs on Alanas his trip progresses.

By the way, Alan has added a special video of his journey to Kathmandu, showing everyone some of the sights and sounds he encountered along the way. If you would like to learn more about Alan Arnette, checkout the special interview I conducted with him a week ago..and if that isn’t enough, visit his own site. He will be making updates as the trip progresses. Climb On, Alan!

The second update is coming by way of email from the HobyJackson Everest Expedition. If you will remember back a few days ago, I profiled the climbing team of Sandy Hoby and Brad Jackson. Well, Brad has emailed me with news of their arrival in Kathmandu as well–

“Kathmandu is superb at the moment
albeit a little hazy. As you can imagine, rumours and speculation are
rife about permits, elections, restrictions etc but we are all
pretty happy to have arrived in one piece and be making our way to
Lukla on Tuesday.

Today Phil and I started going over the electronics for base -camp,
going over solar panels, laptops and sat phones we will be using up
there. We will definitely be well connected up there.

I must admit in all the hustle and bustle of arriving in Kathmandu,
we accidentally drank beer and whiskey for 7 hours yesterday, so
some of us are a bit worse for wear this morning. I just rationalise
that as building tolerance for future onset of AMS symptoms.

Altitude Junkies and Mountain Professionals are both based in the
same hotel and flying to Lukla at the same time so undoubtably we
will get to know each other quite well.

p.s I won a photography competition

Through Brad’s dispatch, you get a glimpse of the excitement of arrival. Another interesting bit of information is that Sandy and Brad’s Expedition with Altitude Junkies happens to be based, at this time, near Mountain Professionals–the team Alan Arnette is going up with. They are all currently staying at the same hotel, and both flying out together to Lukla. Coincidence?

As for the Photography Contest Brad alludes to, he was kind enough to email me the link. I actually just stopped by there to check it out. Awesome Photo , Brad..and congratulations on winning the ‘Ice” competition with Alpine Exposures Photography! Stop by and check out his shots–

Sting Arrives in Kathmandu

Found an interesting article today concerning Sting, the former lead singer of The Police (yeah, I know, I am sure everybody already knows who he is.) Sting has been noted as arriving in Kathmandu for some adventure trekking with his family. This is his third sorjourn to the area in as many years, with last year seeing him pop up in a local nightclub then belting out a few of his own songs. Perhaps he has Everest on his mind..not so sure, but it would be hard to picture him with a set of Crampons on. Anyways, thought it was interesting.

I will keep you updated as I get more reports in, but so far it looks to be going pretty much as planned. In the next few days, teams will be heading out to Lukla, then making their long trek to Basecamp. Alan Arnette did mention that the IceDoctors are currently preparing the Khumbu Icefalls with ladders, and other Sherpas and climbers are already heading towards basecamp. Will keep you posted.

EVEREST 2008: Nepal Slams the Door–Follows Tibet with Everest Closure

Earlier this week Chinese officials sent out a memo to climbers wanting to attempt Mt. Everest this season. That memo effectively shut down any prospects of teams trying to summit from the northern Tibetan side of Mt. Everest. Today Nepal has followed suit with their own restrictions.

I mentioned a couple of days ago that there had been a special meeting of Nepal’s Mountaineering Association to discuss what was currently taking place with China on the North side. Word had trickled down that China had proposed an offer to limit climbers from Nepal, after effectively closing off climbers from the Tibet side of Mt. Everest earlier in the week.

Nepal has decided on a somewhat differing approach to the situation. Rather than closing off the South Col of Everest completely to climbers, Nepal has decided to allow the expeditions to go on, but force the climbers to stay at basecamp for a 10 day period (May 1-10) allowing China the opportunity to run the Olympic Torch up Mt. Everest without distraction of who or what they would find on top of the world’s tallest peak.

Many of the reasonings behind the closure of Mt. Everest this year seem to stem from two areas. The first, as being told by China, Tibet, and Nepal-is an overcrowding issue. Many people believe this to be a bogus front and attribute China’s ambitions to close Mt. Everest on the underlying problem of tibetan protests.

China, expecting the world to be watching as they carry the torch to the highest peak on the planet, simply does not want this to become a Chinese-Tibetan cry for freedom.

So what can Everest expeditioners look forward to this year? From the North, not much. No expeditions are allowed on the northern side until the Olympic Torch run has been made. China has given a date of May 10th. Some expeditions are planning on trying to acclimate on other nearby peaks, then make a run after the deadline if weather (and China) permits– Read more