Dispatches

On the way to Camp 2

arlenebowie@gmail.com — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 18:00:00 +0100

On the way to Camp 2 from Calpinist.com on Vimeo.

At Camp 2 filmed by Artur Hajzer

arlene@calpinist.com — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 22:02:07 +0100

At Camp 2 from Calpinist.com on Vimeo.

Camp 2: Phone Dispatch from Don

arlenebowie@gmail.com — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:00:00 +0100

(9:30 pm Pakistan Time) "Happy New Year greetings to all my family, friends, and supporters. We are back in base camp now, but we spent last night at Camp 2 at 6300 meters, temperature -35C. "

Donus Bowius, Luke Hajzer-Walker czwarty, Rob Vader
picture by Artur Hajzur

Christmas Eve at Base Camp filmed by Artur Hajzer

arlenebowie@gmail.com — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:42:16 +0100

Christmas Eve at Base Camp from Calpinist.com on Vimeo.

Pictures of ascent to Camp 1

arlene@calpinist.com — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:00:00 +0100

Here are a few images of our ascent to Camp 1. The weather was clear and reasonable for climbing- let's hope it stays that way. (But we know it won't!) Next on the agenda, Camp 2....Obviously.

Click on picture to enlarge
{rokzoom title=|Artur approaches Broad Peak as clouds bend around K-2|}images/2 Artur approaches Broad Peak as clouds bend around K2.jpg{/rokzoom}{rokzoom title=|Artur and Robert in the entry coulior|}images/1artur-robert-12-29-08.jpg{/rokzoom [...]

Camp 1: Phone dispatch from Don

arlenebowie@gmail.com — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 18:00:00 +0100

At 8:30 pm Pakistan time (8:30 am MST on Dec. 27) Don phoned to tell us that he, Artur, and Robert had reached Camp 1 on Broad Peak (approximately 5600+ meters). The team will be spending the night in Camp 1 and then, weather permitting, hoped to continue up the mountain to set ropes to Camp 2. "There is not much snow, but a lot of ice and rock." As they were settling in for a nights rest, Don said, "Our stomachs are full....of sauerkraut and kielb [...]

First Day at Base Camp

arlene@calpinist.com — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 19:35:34 +0100

First Day at Base Camp from Calpinist.com on Vimeo.

Broad Peak: Socializing at 14,000 feet

arlenebowie@gmail.com — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:00:00 +0100

Artur Hajzer: Aproaching Broad Peak from Calpinist.com on Vimeo.

Apologies from the Web Team

arlenebowie@gmail.com — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 18:00:00 +0100

For those of you who receive our dispatch announcements via email, we once again apologize for sending out some of Don's old dispatches along with Don's first dispatch from Broad Peak. We thought the problem with our automated system, Feedburner, was fixed, but apparently not. Therefore, we have dismantled it and will be sending out future dispatches with a new system. Watch for Don's latest dispatch coming up soon!

"So Far, So Good!"

arlene@calpinist.com — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:00:00 +0100

In fear of ruining the streak, I'll say it anyway: So far, so good.

My Polish companions have also adopted this slogan as we negotiate Pakistani expedition logistics in rather uncharacteristically smooth fashion. I won't jinx our good fortune with a justification caveat that all manner of potential chaos could be just around the corner...wait, I think I just did.

Examples:

My flight to Chicago was delayed due to weather. No bot [...]

The Junk Show�

arlene@calpinist.com — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:00:00 +0100

Many people have recently contacted me with inquiries about the food and gear I use on expeditions, with questions like; “What is your sleeping bag rated at?”, and “What do you eat up there?”, and “How do you guys take a …?” (You get it.)

In truth, expeditions to big mountains like K2 are gear intensive, but so are many weekend adventures here in North America. Combine that with the mountaineer&rsquo [...]

Daniel Baas Documents Recent Annapurna Expedition: Part 3 - Base Camp Life

tommy.klinefelter@gmail.com — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:00:00 +0100

Purchase Annapurna 2008 Expedittion shirts here.

Daniel Baas Documents Recent Annapurna Expedition: Part 2 - Trek to base camp

tommy.klinefelter@gmail.com — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:00:00 +0100

Don and company trek to the base camp of Annapurna1.
Purchase Annapurna 2008 Expedittion shirts here.

Daniel Baas Documents Recent Annapurna Expedition: Part 5 - An interview with Don Bowie

tommy.klinefelter@gmail.com — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:46:31 +0100

Purchase Annapurna 2008 Expedittion shirts here.

Daniel Baas Documents Recent Annapurna Expedition: Part 4 - Progress

tommy.klinefelter@gmail.com — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:44:08 +0100

Purchase Annapurna 2008 Expedittion shirts here.

Daniel Baas Documents Recent Annapurna Expedition: Part 1 - Depart Kathmandu

tommy.klinefelter@gmail.com — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 20:00:00 +0100

Purchase Annapurna 2008 Expedittion shirts here.

Story in The UK's Independent: Into the Death Zone

tommy.klinefelter@gmail.com — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:17:51 +0100

This story ran a few days ago in the British newspaper, The Independent.
Jonathan Brown describes the effort of 17 climbers to rescue
Inaki Ochoa, and suggests the attempt "has redeemed a sport once known for its selfishness". In the article, Sir Chris Bonington is quoted: "This was the community of mountaineers � the world's serious climbers � who have a terrific common spirit ... everyone did everything in their power to help and this is something we would like to see e [...]

Challenging Times

arlene@calpinist.com — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:00:00 +0100

Over the last few weeks I've endured some of the most challenging moments of my life. My repeated attempts to sufficiently articulate myself in words have mostly ended with the delete key, typing the opening lines of this dispatch over and over- but I've finally managed to get out a few thoughts...

First, I am deeply saddened by Inaki's [...]

I�aki Ochoa de Olza's family expresses gratitude

tommy.klinefelter@gmail.com — Fri, 23 May 2008 20:00:00 +0100

It is about impossible to personally express our gratitude to all those who helped us at overcoming our pain of loosing Iñaki, we would like to tell that through the words of so many cheer messages, through the vital cooperation and the work developed along those intense days of personal efforts at fighting his deadly disappearing, have been an important medicine to sooth our pain.

The disappearance of someone as healthy and stable, so bright and joyful as Iñ [...]

Safely in base camp and possibly flying out

tommy.klinefelter@gmail.com — Fri, 23 May 2008 20:00:00 +0100

(8:37 PM Nepal time) Don, Denis, Ueli, Serguey and Dr. Robert are safely in base camp. Don indicated that it was a long, crazy decent.

Four Sherpas voluntarily have remained in C2. They are Pemba Ongchu Sherpa, Ongchu Sherpa, Mr. Wangchu Sherpa, Chhiring Finjo Sherpa. Tomorrow morning they will descend with the medical supplies and remaining gear.

Inaki's Support team emphasized "We are still here and will be until everybody is safely evac [...]