THE 2008 ANNAPURNA SOUTH FACE/EAST RIDGE EXPEDITION
 | Located in the central Himalaya region of Nepal, the summit of Annapurna is highly coveted ground. Of the fourteen 8000 meter mountains on earth, none has seen fewer attempts or successful summits as Annapurna. To date, less than 160 people have stood on her summit, compared to 3000+ total Everest summits, and 265 total summits on K2. The venerable Maurice Herzog first successfully climbed the mountain in 1950, four years before Everest's summit was reached, testimony to the difficult nature and elusive reputation of the mountain. |
| Safely in base camp and possibly flying out |
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(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 evacuated from the mountain.... We will provide Helicopter/s for those who wish go back to Katmandu. All we want to do is to help all climbers, rescuers and Sherpas get outta there. We want to show our deepest love and appreciation to all of you."
(Edited 10:55 PM Nepal time) The reported decision of those in BC is to fly on Monday rather than tomorrow. They forecast a better weather window for a helicopter to land and fly out. |
