EVEREST LIVE

May 22, 2001

From: Maurice Peret

A View from the Khumbu

All 13 members of the National Federation of the Blind-Allegra 2001 Everest expedition, including the film crew member Michael Brown and Charlie Mace, arrived by 1:30 PM today safe, strong, and healthy at Camp 3 (24,000'). They will leave early tomorrow morning for Camp 4, the South Col (26,000'), then on to the summit (29,035') by Thursday morning. The weather was reported to be picture-perfect or, as Michael Brown described it, "sublime." The mood from Everest Base Camp on up the mountain is anticipatory and up-beat.

Although yesterday was meant to be a rest day for the climbers at Camp 2, there turned out to be much more excitement than any of us had bargained for. Shortly after lunch an emergency call came in on the radio reporting that a climber from another expedition had been found alone in poor condition on the Lhotse Face. Later that evening, just before 5:00 PM, a 19-year-old climber lost one of his crampons during a fall and was nearly immobilized from exhaustion. Pasquale Scaturro and other team members coordinated rescue efforts from their position at Camp 2 with a number of cooperating expeditions. Kevin Cherilla, NFB Base Camp Manager, displayed expert conduct under pressure in organizing contact with other teams who were willing to help. The heroic action of one particular Italian climber named Simone Moro made the difference for the young climber that evening. This morning found both of the troubled climbers in good shape and on their way down the mountain. This was another important reminder of the respect due the largest mountain on earth. It is certainly not to be taken on lightly. It also shows the very professional cooperation that exists between climbers of various expeditions.

With so many teams making their bid for the summit during this last and best weather window of opportunity, this is, by far, the most nail-biting and breath-holding time of the entire journey. Reports today from the north side of Mt. Everest in Tibet had 19 people reaching the summit--bringing the total number to 25. Shouts of elation were heard from Camp 3 to Base Camp at the sight of a French paraglider sailing down from the summit of Everest into view and then out of sight into Tibet. The Base Camp staff plans to pull all-nighters until all of the climbers have reached the summit and are back down to Camp 4, providing hourly information about the team's progress. We are anxious and hopeful for success as we know you all are. Let's gather in the Comm Tent or around our computers to watch history unfold.

Together our climbers, the support team, the National Federation of the Blind, and those of you who are watching and hoping with us are changing what it means to be blind.