Image: Sherpas Sherpas

Traverse Blues
25 May 2005    me-5300
What can I say.....its amazing sometimes how we forget being up here isn't always about "when", it is very much sometimes about "if".
Piers has left to travel to the North side. He feels that his chances of simply reaching the summit, are increased a bit being over there, as there is no closing icefall issue, so he chose to go, and abandon his traverse attempt, as he just wants a decent shot at the top. I wish him the best , and hope his strength and the weather bring him a bit of luck.

Me? Given that now my priority has shifted from Piers to the larger group, the traverse attempt hangs by a thin line. As a guide, personal ambtion needs to take a backseat to group goals. Hard to swallow as the traverse is what brought me here this year, but given that we are in "if" mode, if we get a summit shot, if the traverse attempt is possible, if the weather opens up a bit....etc.
So often in mountaineering, you have to be wise enough to walk away. Here, with so much money, time, and ego on the line, people are reluctant to do so. This is where you hope that common sense will prevail.
I have been lucky enough to reach the top 4 years running..this mountain has taught me humility, paitence, and how to approach things with an open heart. If I can't get there this year, it will only reinforce those lessons for me.

But I will be damned if I am not gonna safely go give it my best shot.

So everyone back home keep your fingers crossed, unless there is more traverse news to report, I will be reporting for the Adventure Consultants site as well. Right now we are deliberating going up tomorrow.
Wish us luck! Luis Benitez

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