Ascending towards CII

Below the Ice Cliff

Tony topping out on top of Ice Cliff

Sept. 10 - ABC
    
Tashi Delek-

We’re back here in ABC and all’s well- a bit of laundry, good food and some modern technology at base camp. We returned from CI just before lunch and have spent the afternoon relaxing and getting cleaned up. The trip up above CI went as smoothly as can be expected at 6600 m./ 21,600 ft.- these guys made the fixed line up the ice wall actually look comfortable and easy. Moving up above CI the first time ‘round is quite a stress on the body but everyone rose to the occasion. I was impressed- they enjoyed that steep section more than any other. I wish there was more of the same for them. We had a bit of wind, a bit of sun, and a bit of snow but all in all the day was pleasant.

We returned last night for another sleep over at CI. The restless subsided a bit and everyone got at least some zzz’s the second night at CI. Tomorrow is a needed rest day and we’re thinking of a mini-puja to pray for some sun so that we can get laundry dried out. It’s been clean for days just not dry yet.

Many teams have moved in since we went up to CI a couple of days ago. The ABC is starting to take shape- the shape of a surreal village of brightly colored nylon contrasted against shades of grey that is all the natural landscape provides here. We’ve lost count of the number of teams here- the number of climbers ranges from 1 to 18 on each team. Despite our camp being located a bit outside the center the tents are inching closer. It’s basecamp suburban sprawl.

Everyone here says hi to all of you out there.

We’ll talk to you tomorrow.

Dave and the team