EVEREST LIVE
May 8, 2001
From: Maurice Peret
A View from the Khumbu
What follow are a few of the e-mails I have received in response to my dispatches. Thanks to everyone who wrote and encouragement to those who are thinking about doing so in future.
Maurice,
Do you know if Erik's book is available as an E-book or available on tape? The links to Amazon and Barnes and Noble don't mention if it is. I would be very interested in getting it in a format that I can use. I saw an interview with Erik the other day on our local Fox station, and it really interested me. I went to the Web site and spent most of the morning on Tuesday reading all the dispatches. Don't tell my boss! I'm all caught up with the whole story now, and I am following the updates every day. I wish the team "Good Weather" and the best of luck in reaching the summit.
I am legally blind myself, and I am a Computer Systems Engineer with Electronic Data Systems (EDS) in Michigan. I think Erik's story is an amazing testament to what anyone can accomplish if they have the drive and motivation to do so. People like Erik are a great example that blind people can do anything.
I enjoy tandem biking, boating, water skiing, camping, and traveling. I tried my hand at tandem skydiving a few years ago. I really wanted to go solo on that one but couldn't find a skydiving outfit that would let me. I also bunji-jumped out in California a few years ago. I have settled down a little as I get older, but I never plan to let my blindness get in the way of anything that I really want to accomplish. Stories like Erik's make me want to get more involved in helping other people get motivated and thinking like he does.
My real reason for e-mailing the team was to say "Good luck" and "Be safe." I'll be thinking about all of you.
JP Jody Peterson
Dear Jody,
Thank you very much for your thoughtful message. I know from a reliable source that the National Library Service (NLS) of the Library of Congress is in the final production of Erik's book, "Touch the Top of the World," on recorded tape and the National Braille Press is scheduled to have it available for purchase in Braille by June. From your own account you are an example of just the point that we are making with this expedition. As Erik continually points out, this is not a story about just one blind guy. Not only can blind people hold down important jobs, but they can enjoy the fruits of their labor along with the best of them. The old image of the blind beggar with tin cup in hand is now a relic of the dark ages. Because of your and Erik's examples it won't be long before the picture that comes to mind of a blind person will include him/her climbing, boating, or sky-diving.
Thank you again for your insight and keep on being active and showing others what is possible.
MP
Dear Maurice,
My name is Debra Saylor, and i am a student at the Louisiana Center for the Blind. I began my training here in September, and I will be finished this month. When I came here, I knew that I was in for a great experience. A very special friend recommended that I come here. He knew I needed the skills because I had led a very sheltered life. I am a pianist and singer, and I want to continue to use my performance skills, but I also want to get a job as a receptionist.
I know it is possible for blind people to do anything they want to do. I am living proof of that. When I first came here, I knew very little about traveling independently; now I travel all over town and do it with confidence.
I just want to wish Eric all the best. I know he can make it! He and all the other climbers will be in my prayers, and I will be keeping up with their progress.
Sincerely,
Debra Saylor
Dear Debra,
Congratulations first on your decision to attend the Louisiana Center for the Blind to get the training in the alternative skills of blindness and on your impending graduation. I was at the Louisiana Center for a brief period in 1998 for evaluation of my skills. I was really impressed, and it spurred my own interest in becoming a rehabilitation instructor. And now I am.
I am certain that opportunities will present themselves to you in ways that you may not expect. So came the opportunity for me to be a part of this most extraordinary expedition. Keep up the good work, and don't lose those skills you have mastered.
MP
Dear Maurice,
Let us not forget Brian Buhrow, the blind administrator of the machine which is currently hosting the 2001everest.com site. When he is not busy at work at his full-time job as one of two employees at the Santa Cruz office of a San Francisco bay area Internet service provider or responding to Unix systems emergencies at the University of California, Santa Cruz's Computing and Telecommunications Services that require his advanced knowledge and unique skills, he is administering the host machine of the National Federation of the Blind of California.
He, along with others, has fought successful battles to make the Graphical User Interfaces in Windows, AOL, and many other products and services accessible to the blind and is living proof that, despite this increasing trend toward Graphical User Interfaces, blind people can stand out in Information-Technology-related fields.
Andrew James Nordley
Dear Andrew,
A point extremely well taken. Often those behind the scenes make things happen smoothly and go unrecognized for their efforts. Erik Weihenmayer and the other members of the team are appropriately at the center of our attention at this exciting and potentially dangerous time, but many other people, blind and sighted alike, are supporting their efforts and helping to make this climb possible. Let us remember that thousands of men and women, members of the National Federation of the Blind, have united to give Erik and the rest of the team the chance to achieve their dream. I hope that you will continue to follow the progress of the team as they make their final ascent towards the summit of the highest mountain in the world.
Maurice,
This is Sarah. I just learned how to use e-mail. I've been checking on you on the Everest 2001 Web site. I'm glad everything is going well for you right now. Everything is fine at BISM. Tom and Andy are working me to death in travel. I'm learning how to cook more in Tracey's class. Yes, I've been eating, so you can't bug me about that. It's a lot easier when you know how to cook. I actually went to Royal Farms, KFC, and Radio Shack by myself this week from the apartments. When I first got here, I would have been freaking out if I had to do that. I went from 35 to 60 words a minute in speed typing in Jennifer's class. Today was Lakhisa's last day. so you won't get any e-mail from her. We're all going to miss her a lot. She was my roommate for the last month. When we said goodbye to her, I cried. I don't cry very much, so that says a lot. I'm getting used to being here and it doesn't stress me out anymore. Teen Retreat was last weekend, and we had a lot of fun. I enjoyed working with the teens, and Loretta asked me to come back next year. I probably will. I'll be checking on you on the Web site, and I hope the rest of the climb goes well. Good luck! See you when you get back.
Sarah at Blind Industries and Services of Maryland
Dear Sarah,
It's great to hear about the progress that you are making in your training. You are a strong-willed and intelligent young woman, and your skills will take you as far as you want to go. It is hard to watch students leave sometimes, but the moment comes when they must get on with their lives in the best way they know how. I'm looking forward to getting back and working with you some more.
Are you looking forward to the upcoming NFB national convention in Philadelphia? It's going to be a blast. The trick will be to gather as much information as you can and to take advantage of all the opportunities that will be available to you during that week.
I'll see you in a few weeks when I get back.
MP
My name is Nela, and I am a Senior in high school. Recently we have read the book "Into Thin Air," and since then I have become very interested in Everest expeditions. I would like to know what some of your daily routines are and what it is like at the base camp? If you have time, please write me anything about your expedition and base camp. I hope to hear from you soon. Good Luck! Sincerely, Nela Durdevic
Dear Nela,
I also read "Into Thin Air" in preparation for coming here. Another good one is "The Climb" by Anatoli Boukareev, which offers a different account of the tragic 1996 events on Mt. Everest. As for what life is like here at base camp, I am including a dispatch entirely devoted to this subject. I hope that you will stay tuned in. Good luck with your studies and don't be afraid to pursue your dreams. If you are genuinely interested in climbing, you might start by going hiking on the weekends with friends carrying a back pack. Eventually, maybe you'll be the next to climb some of the big mountains
MP
Dear Maurice Peret,
I am a student in Owensboro, Ky. I am participating in the Mount Everest Math Puzzle challenge on the Internet. I was wondering if you would be able to answer a question for me. At what height above sea level do many people start to report symptoms of headaches, loss of appetite, and nausea? I believe that it is at 23,000 feet, but I cannot find any information to support my hypothesis. Do you think you would be able to answer this question for me? I would like to wish you luck as you climb to the summit and express my sorrow over the loss of Babu Chiri. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Jerry F.
Dear Jerry,
First of all, please allow me to clarify something for you. Erik Weihenmayer is the blind climber who, along with his talented teammates, is attempting to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. Although I too am blind, my job does not take me beyond base camp. I am primarily responsible for communications for the National Federation of the Blind, the climb sponsor. In answer to your question, though, it is my understanding that symptoms of high-altitude illness can begin at 9,000 feet above sea level. Denver, CO is a mile high, so maybe three quarters again as high as that is where trouble can really start. Such problems are dependent upon both objective and subjective factors: how fast and how high one climbs, for example, and the amount of hydration in the body have a lot to do with it. Otherwise, high-altitude sickness can strike just about anyone, no matter the physical fitness or experience. For more thorough information about this interesting subject, you might send a message to the link on the Web site to the Brown University research team. They are working with us. Thanks for your inquiry.
MP
I am writing in response to your article on the Web page today (May 3rd) about whether or not Erik is an equal partner in the Everest Climb.
Some History. I actually met you on the trail to Everest base camp several times, and we talked once or twice. I was with the REI group trekking to Kala Patar and base camp the same time your group was going to base camp. I went to base camp the same morning you did. I recall passing you on my way back and telling you that you were almost there or something like that (I was exhausted). I also met Erik and talked to him once or twice as well as other members of the team on various occasions. So since I have returned to the US, I have been reading the NFB Web page everyday.
First I should congratulate you on making base camp. It is quite an achievement. Our group was in awe at how you guys were able to trek over very difficult terrain and maintain the same pace as any other trekker.
To answer the question you posed, it's my opinion that Erik is climbing as an equal member of the team. No doubt in my mind. Just as I feel you made Everest base camp no different than that other Trekker did. You made it to base camp in the exact amount of time it took me (Both our groups started the same day from Lukla). Yes, you point out that bells were required and you had some verbal guidance, but it's not as if someone led you up the mountain holding your hand. But is the support you got really any different than other trekkers/climbers get from their group? Personally I would not have made base camp unless one of our guides carried my knapsack. So you could argue that I didn't make base camp as an equal partner in my group since I could not even carry my camera.
Have fun in base camp (if that is even possible), and, if you talk to Erik, wish him the best of luck for a safe and successful climb.
Best Regards,
Mike Sweeney
Dear Mike,
I want to thank you very much for your informative reply. What more can be said? Those who are eye witnesses to the accomplishments and achievements of the blind people they know tend to be the most ardent defenders of the abilities of such people. I hope that some employers and teachers who will someday come into contact with a blind applicant or student are taking note of what Erik and the National Federation of the Blind are doing here and in our personal lives. In this way, person by person, we will change what it means to be blind.
Sincerely,
Maurice Peret,
NFB Base Camp Communications
Mt. Everest, Khumbu, Nepal