Our Climbers All Out Safely

The latest word is that the weather has improved and our group of climbers have all successfully trekked out to Lukla and are flying from there to Kathmandu and on. For them, Everest 2009 is complete and a great success.

Our guides and Sherpa are still on the mountain, trying to get the cleanup done. The weather is still tricky and the volume of snow makes the going difficult. So far, they have only managed to get back up as far as Camp 1. The following picture by Valerio Massimo gives an idea of the load these amazing people carry on their backs all day every day during the season, while the two climbers in the picture carry just their day packs!

Most of the Western teams have departed, leaving their final cleanup to the Sherpa. Our own guides remain and will continue to work with the Sherpa and provide support and logistics, including their onsite doctor should such be necessary.

Here’s hoping for some better weather and a clean departure by June 4th as planned!

-Adrian Ballinger via sat phone