Many thanks for all your congratulatory
messages! The guys will take great pleasure reading them when
they return.
And this is the important thing about an
expedition. Summitting is only half the journey. The expedition
is not over until the climbers are safely back at camp. Robert
and Edwin descended to 7300m at about 4pm yesterday after
their summit. Considering they started at 3am that morning,
they had been on the go for 13 hours and were completely tired
out by then.
This morning (Friday), they are descending
further. We have received reports from other climbers that
the warm weather of the past few days had melted much of the
ice and snow on the mountain. This means the firm snow bridges
which used to cover deep crevasses have melted away, exposing
the crevasses. The snow bridges that remain are weak. The
melting snow has also left huge areas of water, much of it
thigh deep "like a lake" according to one Italian
climber, and quite impossible to cross. Once again, safety
is of utmost importance. We expect them to be back here sometime
Saturday, but have told them not to rush. Two bottles of red
wine, gifts from generous friends, await their return.
Best regards
Lulin Reutens Base Camp Manager
Singapore Xixabangma Expedition 2002 17
May 2002, 3.07 pm
