Update: November 21, 2005 (Summitted Ama Dablam, Nepal)
I'm currently in Kathmandu, Nepal -- just got back a couple of days ago from the Khumbu Valley, where Everest sits ...and also Ama Dablam, ~22,500 ft (6845m). See October 2005 link for a photo of it. I'm kinda sick right now and also the internet connection here is not that great; therefore, I'll wait till I get to Bangkok before posting photos on this website. Just wanted to add a couple of notes.
I had arrived in the Khumbu Valley Oct 8th with 3 other friends from back home -- I joined Christi's trip: Everest Base Camp Trek. We made it to Kala Patar and Everest Base Camp. I then went back to Lukla with them -- Lukla is where you'd fly into from Kathmandu to start your 35 mile one-way trek. From Lukla, I went back up the mountain to join the English Ama Dablam expedition led by Tim Mosedale. We arrived at the base camp Oct 29th and began our acclimitization. 2 trips up the mountain to slowly allow our bodies to adapt to the thinner air... then on Nov 10th, me and 3 others started our summit bid. Nov 10th from base camp to camp 1, Nov 11th from camp 1 to camp 3, and then Nov 12th from camp 3 to the summit. I reached the summit around 1pm -- beautiful clear sky with a great view of Mt Everest! I'll post some photos here within a week or so.
Update: Photos
Here are the photos of the climb:
View of Ama Dablam from the trail to Everest Base Camp
View of the route from Camp 3 to the summit.
Close up view. Circle is Camp 3
Another close up of the dablam.
Team hiking up to base camp.
Yaks carrying gear/supply to base camp.
Base Camp around 14,500 ft.
My home for the duration of the climb (just over 2 wks).
A local monk has joined us to perform a "Puja," a blessing ceremony to ask the gods to let us climb Ama Dablam safely. Ama Dablam towers above us. Camps 1, 2, and 3 can be seen.
