 Namaste Chomolungma!: Photos 84 to 105 |
My lungs are burning, my lips are frozen, my legs are begging me to stop. Four more steps. I stop to gasp for air. At last, there is no where else to go. I'm standing on the summit of Kala Pattar at 5,600m. Prayer flags are flapping furiously in the wind. Finally I muster the energy to lift my head and look around me. There it is... Everest piercing the bright blue sky surrounded by its Himalayan giant neighbours, Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori, Ama Dablam, and the Khumbu Glacier. I have to concentrate to catch my breath again. I remember how this
Full Text Entry: Namaste Chomolungma!
TB: [diary=272074]
Everest and the South Col
South Col (Camp 4) clearly visible in the middle to the right of Everest. Camp 4 is the final stop before the summit push. The South Col at 7,906m is also the official start of the Death Zone.
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May 4th 2008 - Fiona:
Brilliant - sounds like an amazing experience! Congratulations to the intrepid explorers - dying to hear all about it...
May 4th 2008 - bob: Wow !
K&M - the story and photographs just keep getting better and better. This was no picnic (despite Mark's best intentions); the contrast between elation and exhaustion is so visible in the photographs. What an achievement - there are two very proud families looking forward to welcoming you home!
May 5th 2008 - Simon: The long, long slog home
Awesome entry, guys. Just awesome. Best entry ever.
I now want to go and check out the big E for myself.
Hope you're having a great time on the beach in Goa - can't believe it's all over already
May 5th 2008 - Gerard: Everest conquered....mighty stuff!!
Mark & Kate....congratulations to you both on your brilliant achievement! Awesome stuff! I know that you have been fascinated with that damn mountain, Kate, since I bought you that book all those years ago, but to have the courage, tenacity, endurance & physical capacity to fulfill your dream is incredible! I'm just glad that I didn't buy the book I was looking for that day.."Lunar Quest: One man's voyage to the moon"!! Looking forward to seeing you both on the 24th.
May 5th 2008 - Gregory Sherpa: Congratulations!
Cool, I'd been looking forward to this one for....well....pretty much 8 months and it didn't disappoint! Loving the photos (ah Ama Dablam....) and the various mental characters you met on the way (the boarding-card-shade-deciphering man being my personal favourite). I'll see you back at Everett Space Camp for the 2012 McMullen-McGovern summit attempt. Enjoy the rest of your time in Nepal
May 5th 2008 - Mary:
Well done, Kate & Mark, both on your ascent to Everest base camp and your record of it. This is your best blog ever - so vividly written and so well photographed. I have a pain in my chest just from reading it (but maybe that's just pride!) See you soon xxx
May 6th 2008 - MichaelM: Dion an Domhain
Comghairdeas dhibh! This last few months we have read of your travels from the 'down under' as we know it to where you are now the 'roof of the world'. And you have done it in style. These last few weeks as you have made your journey I have studied other Everest blogs and gone on the Everest website and know those names by heart : Namche, Dingboche, Kala Patter. You have brought that almost unknown part of the world into our classroom here in Cavan. Found this quote from Mark Twain recently. "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover". I don't think Mark Twain would be too disappointed with you.
May 8th 2008 - gerard daly:
amazing stuff,you really left the best to last.congratulations to you both on your awesome achievement.
May 10th 2008 - Vic: Wow!
Amazing stuff guys. Truly inspiring and kinda kicks my half marathon ass!! My only concern is 9 days in the same leggings!!!! Kate, I thought I'd never see the day. Topshop will welcome you home with open arms!!
May 11th 2008 - Morna: It can't get much better!
Kate and Mark- congratulations-such a great achievement - such great photos and recording of your personal Everest adventure- loved looking and reading- after this YOU CAN DO ANYTHING!
May 14th 2008 - MichaelM: Ag teacht abhaile
Ta me ag scriobh an piosa seo mar nil a fhios agam fos an bhfuil sibh chun blog eile a scriobh. Taim fiorbuioch daoibh do na huaireanta a chaith me ag leamh, agus don aoibhneas a bhain me as na rudai a chonaic sna ngriangrafanna. Ta suil agam go mbeidh me abalta turas beag a thogaint uair eigin chuig cupla de na tiortha sin. Beidh failte mor ag fanacht chugaibh nuair a shroichfidh Baile Atha Cliath agus Beal Atha Chonaill. Go n-eiri an mbothar libh ag teacht abhaile!l
June 20th 2008 - Hughgels: more inspriation
guys thats a brilliant blog to read, i was looking at doing the trek myself and now you've inspired me to do it and hopefully soon.
great pictures too
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