Heading to Lobuche East BC

The following blog is courtesy of Billi Bierling, Himalayan Experience:

Snowy Days in Pheriche

After having enjoyed a magnificent day during their walk up to Pheriche, the team experienced some heavy snowfall once they had reached the village. “We had a big dump of snow overnight and it looks beautiful. However, nobody feels like going out so we are all huddled around the fire in the lodge relaxing and reading,” Adrian reported. The storm had also hit Kathmandu and the streets of the city had turned into rivers making it difficult for those mountaineers, who are still in the capital, to navigate the roads and get their last errands done.

The Himalayan Experience team is currently on their way up to our Lobuje East base camp, where they will stay for another couple of nights to acclimatise to the new elevation of 4,950m (16,330ft). Our Sherpas and kitchen staff have already been there for several days, setting up the camp and making sure everything is ready for our crew to feel comfortable.

While the team is busy acclimatising and taking in the stunning views of the surrounding Himalayan giants, I would like you to meet more members of our expedition.

Hector Sanchez Torres Lebrija

Hector, also knows as Chino, from México City only discovered his love for the mountains five years ago, when his brother took him to the Mexican volcanoes. He has not stopped since then with successfully climbing Denali in 2009, Alpamayo in 2010 and Huascaran in 2011. In February this year he reached the highest point of South America, Aconcagua, via the False Polish route. The 48-year-old is married with three boys and earns his money as a tax lawyer.

How did you first come across Everest and who inspired you to climb it?

When I was 10, my mother and I watched “The Conquest of Everest” – the movie about the first successful ascent by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay. Since that day I have been unable to take “The Goddess Mother of All Mountains ” off my mind – and now, here I am, 38 years later as a Himalayan Experience expedition member, and I am very excited about it.

Every mountain I climb inspires me and the learning experience from every expedition makes me a better human being. The more challenging a mountain, the more rewarding it is and in this way I find inspiration in every mountain.

What has been your biggest achievement so far?

Having successfully raised my three boys and a wonderful 18-year marriage.

What is your biggest challenge on this Everest expedition?

Being patient, staying healthy and focused and enjoying every single of the 70 days that this once-in-a-lifetime expedition will last.

How do you think Everest will change your life?

Right after I had climbed my first mountain, my life changed in a positive way in every aspect. Every other mountain I have climbed, this positive impact gets better and better. I think Everest could be the cherry on my cake (with or without the summit).

I have no doubt that an endeavour like this will change every expedition member’s life.

How mentally prepared are you for the possibility of not getting to the top?

This is a very good question and the most difficult to answer. I have thought about this every day since I signed up for this expedition. I will certainly use all the power in my mind and body to reach the summit, however, if I can’t make it I think I could live with it. But I would have to give it another go, for sure.

What will you carry to the summit?

A picture of my wife and kids, which I put on every summit, a Mexican flag, and the heart and soul of my eight friends from school. These friends sponsor me without asking for anything in return with the only purpose of helping me fulfil my dream of climbing Mt. Everest.

If you want to follow Chino’s blog, please click on: www.enlacima.mx

Javier Perez

Javier, also known as “Javi” or “Perez”, has a huge affection for the mountains, especially living in Mexico City from where he can see two magnificent volcanoes. But he does not only look at the 6,000m peaks around the capital, he also climbs them – and he has done so since he was 14 years old. Apart from the volcanoes, the 30-year-old has scaled Aconcagua, Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and in 2010 he attempted Cho Oyu, the 6^th highest peak in the world. However, he had to abandon the expedition at Camp 2 due to bad weather.

How did you first come across Everest and who inspired you to climb it?

I have always been attracted to mountains. I came closer to Everest by watching documentaries, such as the IMAX film. No one in particular has inspired me to climb it, however, I have always been fascinated by Everest, the early attempts and specially the South Col route (the Khumbu Icefall, Lhotse Face and the Hillary Step).

What has been your biggest achievement so far?

I wish to believe that the biggest achievements are yet to come.

What is your biggest challenge on this Everest expedition?

Finding a balance between family, girlfriend, friends, work, training and travelling! But I guess a huge challenge on this expedition will be to stay healthy and keep a positive attitude.

How do you think Everest will change your life?

Although it will be a huge personal accomplishment, I don’t think climbing Everest will change my life. Perhaps this will change at the end of the trip.

How mentally prepared are you for the possibility of not getting to the top?

I think that everyone, who takes part in this kind of expedition, has to acknowledge the fact that there is a possibility of not summiting. There are too many variables involved, so I guess it will depend on the reason why I don’t summit. It will be very disappointing but the mountain is not going anywhere, so there is always the possibility to come back.

What will you carry to the summit?

A picture of my loved ones.