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Madness approaching Everest
14:36 p.m. EST Apr 7, 2004
Here comes the life of the party. The Mountain Madness madmen (and madwomen) are on their way to BC. They have been keeping us updated of their progress and we wanted to share. Sarah, the team’s basecamp manager, is reporting:
“Day 10 April 5th - Dzugla
This is Sarah Henley reporting from Dzugla at 15,100 feet. Today is the third day in a row we have had afternoon snow. We wake to beautiful blue skies and then the clouds roll in after lunch. The hike was short today so everyone was able to climb into their tents once the weather rolled in. The climbers continued on past Luboche where they plan to spend the next two nights. The trekking group will meet them there tomorrow. Many new peaks came into view today; Taboche, Lhotse, and first glimpse of Pumore. Pumore sits high above base camp and is a sight we will become accustomed to.
Day 9 April 4th Dingboche
This has been the best rest day. Everyone has had the opportunity to wash some clothes and almost everyone had hot showers. The sun has been out most of the day and allowing us to see some amazing views. On the hike we learned the 5 colors of the prayer flags and what they represent. Blue is sky, red is fire, green is water, yellow is earth, white is wind and mountain. From the hike we were able to see Makalu, one of the 14 - 8000 meter peaks. We were also able to see Island Peak one of the most popular trekking peaks. We unfortunately have a few members of our group who are under the weather. We are all learning fast that getting sick in Nepal is just something you have to deal with, it is a small price to pay.”
Mountain Madness is a US commercial outfit returning to the South Side of Everest this year.
Leading the crew is Willie Benegas. Willie is an Everest veteran and last spring climbed a new route on Nuptse’s West Face. Also on the team is Murray Rice, Gene Rehfeld, Gary Ponder, and Sarah Henley will be the team’s Base Camp manager. Murray has been on previous expeditions to K2 and Everest.
Gene is a cream cheese dealer from Denver, Colorado who completed his fourth of the seven summits this past winter when he summited Vinson with Mountain Madness.
Gary Ponder rounds off the climbing team and isn’t a stranger to Everest’s South Side. Back in 2002 he made an attempt with Mountain Madness. Unfortunately he severely twisted his knee in the Khumbu Ice Fall and had to be evacuated from Base Camp. He had surgery soon and vowed to return in 2004. Gary kept his promise.
Mountain Madness also has two crews of Base Camp trekkers, one will head up later on.
Image of Everest by Scott Fischer courtesy of Mountain Madness.
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