EVEREST LIVE

May 12, 2001

From: PV Scaturro
Expedition Leader
2001 NFB Everest Expedition

Audio of P.V. Scaturro's radio communication from Camp 2

Courtesy of:

Reason Wireless, Inc.

This morning between 5:45 AM and 6:15 AM, the seven remaining climbers of the expedition left base camp for camp two.  The winds were very strong again today and the team debated whether or not to go. P.V., Didrik, Brad and Luis moved out in front with Steve, Mike B., and Charley right behind.  All seven members arrived at camp two between 11:45 AM and 2:00 PM joining the six other team mates.  All members are healthy and feeling strong.  Even though Michael Brown was not feeling well when he left base camp, he arrived at camp two in good spirits and feeling much better.

The team will remain at camp two for several days waiting for good weather.  We will monitor weather conditions for the next several days and determine when it will be best to move up to camp three, then on to the South Col for the summit push.

The biggest concern for our expedition is the fact that all other expeditions have gone down off the mountain from camps two and three do to high winds and deep snow.  One of the strongest climbers on the mountain, Apa Sherpa of the Japanese team, also went down to base camp instead of pushing on past the South Col to break trail.  He has made it to the summit of Mt. Everest eleven times and it's very important that another team breaks trail to the summit.  Right now the snow is about three feet deep and moving is slow.

Please follow along the next few days as we attempt to summit Mt. Everest.