Lorenzo Gariano who runs Botany Bottle and looks after the plants at the Open University's Knowledge Media Institute, went climbing in the Everest region and sent back audio reports. All this was part of Lorenzo's Seven Summits activities: climbing the highest peak on each continent (read more about Lorenzo's Seven Summits quest).
Lorenzo's Everest audio reports, plus notes and photos from expedition leader Scott Woolums of Adventures International.
May 23th, Base Camp,
Lorenzo and John back safe and sound to Base Camp after a gruelling descent. Its a wonderful achievement to have done Lhotse. Had a bit of a crisis on the summit ... at 8500m we are in the 'death zone'. Ascent of Lhotse was very hard. [more...]
23 May 2003 13:23 UK time
629 kB
May 20th, Lhotse summit,
Lorenzo, John and two sherpas, Pasang Nuru and Pemda Chirri, have summited Lhotse in under eight hours. They have now returned to Camp 4.
[satellite phone message cut off]
[more...]
20 May 2003 10:17 UK time
35 kB
May 19th, Camp 4,
'Going for the summit tonight'
[satellite phone message cut off]
[more...]
19 May 2003 13:56 UK time
80 kB
May 19th, Camp 4,
Weather 'amazing' - could hear the roar of the jetstream above Lhotse
[satellite phone message cut off]
[more...]
19 May 2003 13:51 UK time
80 kB
May 18th, Camp 4,
Talking in between oxygen sniffs - first day on oxygen. Hoping to attempt the summit tomorrow. Altitude-reading watch going haywire. [more...]
18 May 2003 14:54 UK time
293 kB
May 17th, Camp 3,
Final stages of Lhotse assault but weather closing in. [more...]
17 May 2003 15:16 UK time
238 kB
May 16th, Camp 2,
Still waiting for a suitable gap in the weather for move up to Camp 3 - winds far to strong.
[satellite phone message breaks up]
[more...]
16 May 2003 13:23 UK time
364 kB
May 11th, Base Camp,
Waiting for a window in the weather. [more...]
11 May 2003 14:22 UK time
246 kB
May 8th, Dingboche,
Resting down in Dingboche, 10000ft lower down the mountain, with real weather concerns. Noone currently going beyond Camps 2 and 3. Summit attempt will likely be delayed until mid-month. [more...]
08 May 2003 15:50 UK time
388 kB
May 3rd, Base Camp after Camp 3,
Lorenzo and John (the Lhotse team) made a difficult and strenuous, 11-hour ascent to Camp 3 with full packs through waist-deep snow; stayed over night at 7200m. [more...]
03 May 2003 13:57 UK time
502 kB
April 30th, Camp 2,
Camp 2 here is quite comfortable, we have a North Face 2 meter dome which is very warm inside during most of the day, a great cook staff, Tenzi and Kaji. Fantastic food considering where were at!
[again the satellite phone lets us down part way through this message]
[more...]
30 Apr 2003 16:36 UK time
387 kB
25 Apr 2003 15:14 UK time
177 kB
April 20th, Camp 2,
[audio breaks up rather badly about half way through this message]
25 Apr 2003 15:14 UK time
387 kB
April 17th, Rest Day at BaseCamp,
We're all here at base camp relaxing and recovering from being up high for awhile.Good day, hot sunshine, showers and washing clothes today. Waiting for the Maitinee movie! Base Camp is very comfortable in our insulated weatherport dinning tent with full communications gear.
[more...]
17 Apr 2003 16:48 UK time
334 kB
April 13th, One more Night at Camp 1 for the Lhotse Team
Another casual day at Base Camp here. Actually great weather. Hotter than usual now. The lower section of the icefall is full of open water in the afternoons, similar to late season conditions. Our Lhotse Team is spending one more night at Camp 1 before comming back down to Base Camp after a solid 3 days up high. Yesterday they reached Camp 2 to carry some personal gear up there.
[more...]
17 Apr 2003 16:48 UK time
4261 kB
April 8th, Everest Base Camp, Puja Day!
Last night we recieved word that tomorrow would be our Puja, or expedition blessing cerimony. This is a very important event before too much time is spent above base camp. It's an intergal part of the sherpa beliefs and their respect for the Himilayas, especially Sagarmatha (Mother Goddess of the World) or otherwise known as Mt. Everest. So it was up early and off to Base Camp from Lobouche.
[more...]
10 Apr 2003 13:19 UK time
948 kB
April 7th, Up to Lobouche!
After a great rest day down in Dingbouche yesterday we're off to Lobouche. Tomorrow Base Camp. beautiful day in the Khumbu today. Everyone is feeling good, I have a bit of a cold but otherwise ok. The trekking group left a day earlier for Kala Patar and should be up there in the good weather right about now. We'll meet them in Base Camp tomorrow.
[more...]
07 Apr 2003 14:12 UK time
572 kB
06 Apr 2003 13:27 UK time
346 kB
Lorenzo, by email
We are at last at Island Peak, and are ready tomorrow for the big assault. Let's hope we are acclimitized and that the weather is good. It's great at the moment. This Peak is as tall as Mc. Kinley, so we can't underestimate it. Right now Scott is not feeling very well, so we may have to go for it without him. The technology is just great: we are using solar panels to recharge the satellite phone and the computer. Would be great to know how things are with you all, and by the way: any news on the Iraq war? Should reach Base Camp as scheduled for roughly April 7-8. I have attended some very moving and spiritual 'Puja' ceremonies and guess there will be more at Base Camp.
[more...]
03 Apr 2003 11:12 UK time
268 kB
28 Mar 2003 12:12 UK time
361 kB
Scott reports, Up to Namche!
Off to Namche today. A bit better weather and a stop at the Monastery in Ghat. A very amazing experience as the Lama offers us a blessing and good luck.
[more...]
28 Mar 2003 11:04 UK time
343 kB
Scott reports, On the Trail!
After a few busy days in Kathmandu, were finally off to Lukla! Always interesting flying in here. Up at 4.30 this morning for flights in on Yeti Air. Still a lot of cloud but the pilot found a hole through.
[more...]
Introduction
23 May 2003 13:23 UK time
May 18th, Camp 4,
May 16th, Camp 2,
May 11th, Base Camp,
May 8th, Dingboche,
May 3rd, Base Camp after Camp 3,
April 30th, Camp 2,
April 13th, One more Night at Camp 1 for the Lhotse Team
April 8th, Everest Base Camp, Puja Day!
April 7th, Up to Lobouche!
Lorenzo, by email
Scott reports, Up to Namche!
Scott reports, On the Trail!