First of all, I would like to thank everybody for their kind words of support in the difficult times following Lhakpa Nuru's death. It means a lot to me and the team!
Well, the weather is now clearing and everyday the wind is dying down and the snow is staying away. This is our weather window and it is time for final push up the mountain; The Summit Push.
We have split the group into two. The first group will aim to summit on the 21st and the second group will summit on the 23rd.
The first group left early this morning(17th May) at 4 a.m. and are now comfortably parked at Camp 2 where they will have a rest day before going to Camp 3 on the 19th, then to Camp 4 on the 20th. Finally, after some hours of rest, the group will set off from Camp 4 in the South Col at 10 p.m. and aim to reach the summit around 8 a.m. in the morning of the 21st. The members in the first group are Nic, Bud, Henry, Yura and Krushnaa. The Sherpas in the first group are Phurba, Puchhanga, Tenzing Dorje, Thukten Dorje, Gyalu, Pemba Tenjing and Nima Kanchha.
Leading the team on the 21st to the summit is Apa Sherpa. He will be leaving base camp at 4 a.m. tomorrow morning (18th) and joining the group at Camp 2 where he will rest the following day (19th May), while the team go and sleep in Camp 3. Then, he will set off from Camp 2 early in the morning of the 20th and join the team at Camp 4. That night, Apa will head to the summit with the Bhumpa (holy urn) given to him by the Tengboche Rinpoche and the banner handed over to him by the WWF. The Banner reads "Stop Climate Change, Let the Himalayas Live!"
It is our belief that by installing the Bhumpa at the top of Mt. Everest, Mother Goddess of the World, we will once again enhance her protective powers over mankind. The same powers that were diminished by Man's selfish and greedy actions.
Apa has personally been a victim of climate change. He nearly lost his life in 1985 when Dig Tsho Lake, formed in recent decades by Glacial Melt, burst its moraine dam and flooded the valley below. Apa, Pertemba, I and the Eco Everest Expedition are passionate about protecting the natural environment that we are blessed to inhabit. It is our great honor to work together with the WWF to draw attention to impact of climate change on our fragile mountains. The mountains that we climb, enjoy and draw our inspiration from.
Dawa Steven Sherpa