Got a Voice mail from Keith last night. The dude sounded tired. Really tired.
So, Last time we heard from them, the German camp had been destroyed by the wind from an avalanche -not an avalanche; just the wind from it totalled the entire camp! They have been digging out the tents every hour on the hour for three days. "Adjusting" to the local fare. I think that means a few trips to the crapper. Using up the booze someone had hauled up -well, someone had to. ...and waiting. most of you know what that's like. Laying in a tent for days on end waiting for the weather to break so you could do the thing you came to do. ...and that smell. What the H E double hockey sticks is THAT??! ...and who knew that sweat could be semi-solid? anyway...
Like the last post mentioned, they where going to go up with the Swiss Team and see how far they could get. They got to camp one, dug it out and reasserted their toe hold on the mountain. Continued on to camp two at 6800m only to find the camp had been completely destroyed by avalanche. (Thank God they did not decide to try and wait out the storm there.) They were turned back. They found the tents on the way back from where camp two used to be and while the tents where completely ruined, they were able to retrieve some of the gear that was stored there.
So, the expedition has ended. The boys are headed back to Kathmandu today and I expect to hear from Keith when he gets there. Probably after he has a shower and gets drunk, or gets drunk and has a shower, or gets drunk, sleeps and has a shower... I'm sure there will be a glass of wine or two in there somewhere.
I'm disappointed for Keith and the boys. I know they really wanted this mountain. To be denied this accomplishment is a bummer. However, I'm grateful that the team is safe and have suffered no major injuries or losses. I think in the mountaineering game any trip you come home safe from has to be a success. And I for one am looking forward to hearing all about their experiences on Manaslu.
I'll keep you posted.
peace out
dave
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Congraduation for the great effort team. I am sorry that the elements were not cooperative. Happy to know that everybody are back to satety. Enjoy your last Dalbhat and Nepalesse beers.
Nanaste,
Nicolas Bussieres
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