We Summitted!!!

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We Summitted!!!

Yesterday at 8am we reached the summit of Island Peak.

I must apologise for the lack of updates to the blog - there hasn't been any internet access since Namche over a week ago.

What a week it's been though. I'll write a proper blog entry when I get back to Kathmandu but we've climbed Gokyo Ri and Kala Pattar for magnificent views of Everest + many other mountains, we've crossed two quite difficult high passes around 5,500m and of course we climbed to the summit of Island Peak.

We left Island Peak base camp at 2.45am and reached the summit at 8am and were the first to reach it for the day. Whilst on previous days their had been 50+ people attempting the summit and reported issues with queues for the fixed ropes, on our day only about 25 people climbed up and only around 8 made it to the top. It's a very long climb (nearly 1200m from base camp) so less than 50% of people reach the top but we were lucky to have a climbing sherpa who has climbed Everest 4 times so he helped us immensely.

We reached crampon point just as the sun was rising and it was between -10 and -15...my 1L water bottle was nearly frozen through. I found the climbing on the ice/snow very hard as it was my first time in crampons and the double plastic climbing boots are hard to walk in as they're so stiff.

The internet place here doesn't read camera cards so I can't post any piccies but will try to do so soon. Thanks for all the comments,
Scott

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Photos

Summit with Dorje
On the summit with my climbing sherpa Dorje

Everest sunset
Everest sunset

Comments

[Jim and Merilyn]

Congratulations
We are puffing and panting as we read what you have done. Well done. I thought it was cold in Tassie, but we have a heat wave to what you are experiencing. The hardest is over now. All down hill from here. Bye for now Jim and Merilyn

[Debra]

Woo hoooo
Juliann and I were only saying yesterday that we hadn't heard from you, so I'm glad you made it. It's great to hear what a fantastic achievement. I can't wait to see your photos.

[Mary Anne]

Congrats!
Well done. We are looking forward to hearing all your stories. See you later. MA :)

[Beck]

Beard
Ha ha Joy is going to love that beard!! Well done on the climb!

[Nick M]

Good job Scotty, so how's it compare to climbing Cradle? Pretty similar I should think. But seriously, you know you're crazy? Yes, you are. So is Everest next?

[Jeff McKinnon]

Well done
Hey, well done Scott! We look forward to seeing all the pictures!

[Mum]

Congrats!!!!!!!
Wow Scott!! AWESOME pictures of you on the summit! What a BIG achievement! BUT don't think about Everest!!!!! Loved being with your two beautiful girls recently! Can't wait to see you in November. love your relieved Mummy. xxx

[Barry]

Congratulations
Scott, Congratulations. Nice pics too. Cheers! Barry

[Michelle]

Great Photos
Love the photos Scott. No dobut it is even more amazing actually being there. (FYI - We've booked in a morning tea and slide show next Monday so we can see all your great pics!) Congratulations! :)