Just got off the phone with Bob at Base Camp

Hi everyone,

I just spoke to Bob for a few minutes from Base Camp. He sounded strong and ready to go! Here’s the update…

Bob just got back to Base Camp for a 4 day “rest” after his second rotation that had them up at Camp 2. The next rotation is planned to have them “touch” Camp 3 when they get the green light to head up. Once up there he said he will make a determination to spend the night depending on how he feels. Basically a night up at 3 could help him acclimate sooner and potentially have to use less oxygen during next rotation night up at Camp 3.

Bob described the recent climbs through the Icefall as pretty wild – sometimes looking back and just not wanting to be there at that particular moment. The ice reminded him of “VW Beetles and parking lot trams” to give you a sense of the size of ice he’s climbing through. Apparently the Sherpas “pray” through most of the climb through the Icefall, which makes creaking a groaning sounds throughout the day as well.

He said there are lots of “straight ups” in the ice to keep things interesting. Some of the down climbing is done by rappelling with a top anchor. He said since he’s a big guy he gets down pretty quick. That must be fun! Each rotation takes you though the Icefall – up AND back down. So by the time you are up to the summit and back, you could have been through the Ice 10 times!

When they came back down today, the ice had shifted which is fairly common. Bob said it twisted the ladders and changed the path they had taken up but all did well today.

That was all he could get in on the call. He thanked everyone for support back home, and will update us all soon. I wished him good luck, told him to be safe and said we’re all pulling for him. Last thing he mentioned was “dinner is almost ready so it’s time to go!”

-Rob