NFB Everest 2001
Expedition
Live
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Nepal Time |
Colorado Time |
Expedition Event |
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May 19 |
May 18 |
Temperature 16 degrees Fahrenheit. Erik Weihenmayer, Sherm Bull and Jeff Evans depart for Camp One. The remainder of the team remains in Base Camp and will start up tomorrow and go directly to Camp Two. Dr. Steve Gipe decided to remain in Camp Two for several days while the rest of the team rested in Base Camp. |
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May 19 |
May 18 8:45 pm |
Jeff calls on radio to report that he, Erik and Sherm are at 19,000-ft in the Khumbu Ice Fall and they expect to arrive in Camp one within two hours. Kevin Cherilla reports counting over 40 people in the Ice Fall. The route will be crowded, as no one in any of the fifteen teams has reached the summit. All teams are all heading up now to try for the top. There are only 10 days left in the climbing season. |
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May 19 11:08am |
May 18 11:23 pm |
Jeff, Erik and Sherm arrive in Camp One setting a new
record of 5:23 for Erik! His first trip took 13 hours. |
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May 19 |
May 19 |
Snow fall starts in Base Camp as usual. |
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May 19 |
May 19 |
Jeff, Sherm and Erik head for Camp Two. The snow is slowing and they prefer to get there today. We just heard that 13 climbers reached the summit from the north side of Everest today. Good on em. We discover later that it was just 6 climbers who reached the top. Two Americans and Four Sherpas. |
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May 19 |
May 19 |
Jeff, Sherm and Erik arrive in Camp Two to join Steve Gipe. |
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May20 |
May 19 |
The remainder of the team departed base camp this morning in great spirits. They walked out of camp with light packs on at around 5:30 am. Chris Morris made it to Camp 1 in record time! He arrived at 7:35 am! Following were PV at 7:45 am, Eric A. and Mike B. at 8:10, Charley and Luis at 8:35 am, and Didrik and Brad at 8:45 am. Then they pushed on to camp 2 before the heat warmed up the Western Cwm...or so they thought! They experienced record high heat, 109 degrees! Chris arrived camp 2 at 9:15 am, PV at 9:30, Mike B. at 11:00, Brad at 11:20, and Didrik, Luis, Charley and Eric A. arrived at 12:00 noon. The team is resting and playing cards at Camp 2. They are all healthy and excited to continue the push up the mountain. |
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May 21 |
May 21 |
This morning we had 5 Sherpas leave base camp for Camp 2 at 6:15 am, and all arrived safely. The team rested today at Camp 2. This morning we received word from them that they counted 71 people heading from Camp 2 to Camp 3 and another 40 people going from Camp 3 to Camp 4. It has turned out to be a rather busy day. Our team has been involved with rescues of climbers from other teams. Currently, all NFB members are safely at Camp 2. They continue to feel well and are eager for their departure to Camp 3 tomorrow morning. |
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May 22 |
May 22 |
All team members have safely arrived in Camp 3 at 24,000 feet! They had an incredible day to travel from Camp 2 to Camp 3. There was not a cloud in the sky and absolutely no wind. They had beautiful views all around them. We sensed their excitement from base camp. We had several team members reach their all time high today...we sent congratulations to both Jeff Evans and Eric Alexander! The earliest climbers left at 6:50 am and they trickled out after that. Charley and Chris arrived camp 3 at 9:50 am. After they reached Camp 3, they counted 46 people going from Camp 3 to Camp 4. We also received word that a French man was seen paragliding off the summit of Everest (on the north side) at 10:00 am. What a sight!! Mike O'Donnell arrived in Camp 3 at 10:00 am, Michael Brown at 10:20 am, Brad Bull at 11:05 am, Jeff Evans and Didrik Johnck at 12:00 noon, Erik W. and Eric A. at 12:25 pm, Sherman Bull, Luis Benitez, and PV at 1:10 pm, and Steve Gipe arrived at 1:15 pm. Everyone continues to feel great and they are looking forward to heading to Camp 4 tomorrow morning. |
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May 23 |
May 22 |
At 6:00 am this morning, the team began their push from Camp 3 to Camp 4 at 26,000 feet. It is another spectacular day. Everyone is thrilled! We have heard from several team members and everybody is extremely focused, healthy and strong. We will update you all as soon as everyone has safely arrived in Camp 4. We heard several elated outbursts from neighboring camps this morning. Five Indians and one of their Sherpa summited early this morning along with three British climbers and four of their Sherpas. We also just received word that 50-70 people were spotted moving up from Camp 3 to Camp 4. Some of these people are the support Sherpas who are making carries and melting snow for the climbers and will not be making summit attempts. The weather continues to look favorable. Again, more updates coming your way as soon as we receive more information. |
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May 23 |
May 22 |
At 10:40 am Chris Morris safely arrived in Camp 4! He sounded great. He reported that the tents had melted in some snow and are now frozen in. He is waiting for some Sherpa support; they are expected to arrive momentarily. |
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May 23 |
May 23 |
Brad Bull safely arrived in Camp 4 at 11:20 am and his father, Sherman Bull, arrived right behind him at 11:40 am! We are so proud of them! It is 1:20 pm, and we have just received word that Didrik, Steve, Eric A. and PV have also arrived. Congratulations to Steve and Eric A. for reaching an all time high today! More updates as the climbers continue to arrive in Camp 4. |
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May 23 |
May 23 |
ALL OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS ARE SAFELY IN CAMP 4!!! At 2:10 pm, we heard from Erik W. that he, Luis, Jeff, Charley, Mike O. and Mike B. had made it to Camp 4 (also known as the South Col). What an incredible feat! They are resting and gaining strength for the long night ahead of them. The weather is currently windy and cold high on the mountain. The plan is to give a phone call to President George W. Bush at 7:30 pm tonight from Camp 4 and depart shortly thereafter. Not only has our country been following this incredible team of climbers, but the entire world has been interested in the success of our loved ones! |
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May 23 |
May 23 |
The team and Sherpas continue to rest and plan for their 8:00 pm departure this evening. The wind has died down a bit. More information to come when they leave Camp 4. |
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May 23 |
May 23 |
Due to the fact that the team is extremely tired and there are very high winds, a decision has been made to stay at Camp 4 tonight. No summit attempt will be made this evening. They will stay at Camp 4 on oxygen tonight and tomorrow. Their plans are to make an attempt for the summit tomorrow evening. |
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May 24 |
May 23 |
Last night the team had about 10 hours of sleep. They feel and sound great this morning and are currently eating as much food as they can to maintain strength. Our climbing leader Kami, has arranged for them to have plenty of oxygen for today as well as tonight It is another incredible day here today. The sun is shining brightly and there is virtually no wind. More updates to come when the team departs this evening. |
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May 24 |
May 24 |
The climbers have all left Camp 4 for the summit. We
sent our 13 climbers and 8 Sherpas off with good wishes, music and
cheers! It's really happening everyone! We will have hourly
updates from here until the summit. Keep following closely.
Everyone is feeling great and the weather report was positive; clear skies
and minimal winds. |
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May 24 |
May 24 |
The team is on the move. We haven't heard anything
from them since they left. We will update as soon as we hear from them.
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May 24 |
May 24 |
We just received word from Brad that the team is approaching the Balcony and everyone is doing great! Erik W. is kicking some butt on Mt. Everest! |
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May 25 |
May 24 |
Shortly after 11:00 pm, Brad reported that Michael Brown
and Charley were out front. Chris, Brad, Erik W. and Ang Passang Sherpa
were at the face of the Balcony. The other team members are close
behind. |
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May 25 |
May 24 |
We heard from Erik W. at the Balcony and he sounded unbelievably great!! The team has remained very close to one another. Steve and PV have both turned around and are now safely back at Camp 4. They are directing and encouraging the other team members from their tents. We just heard Michael B. on the radio, he too sounded excellent. The current weather conditions up at approximately 27,000 feet are windy and snowy. The weather report shows wind, but clear skies. |
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May 25 |
May 24 |
Luis and Jeff made it to the top of the Balcony and are doing well. Mike Brown reported continued snow. However, Kami reports clearing skies and visible stars all around from Camp 2. The bad weather seems to be above the team, but moving out . |
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May 25 |
May 24 |
It is cold and windy up high. But, the climbers have made a group decision to press on through the storm to stay warm. Here in Base Camp we are seeing clear skies and the sun is beginning to light up the peaks!! This is great news for the climbers both for warmth and natural light. |
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May 25 |
May 24 |
The team checked in at 28,025 feet. They are on
their way! The weather has greatly improved. The skies are
perfectly clear, with pink and orange tints from the glow of the
sun. They said that they had great views. |
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May 25 |
May 24 |
The entire team is approaching the South Summit. Jeff had trouble with a leaking oxygen regulator, but it is now 100% resolved. The lines have been fixed and our team is on the move to the summit. Kami anticipates it will be 2-3 hours until they reach the summit. |
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May 25 |
May 25 |
Brad called in at 7:10 am stating that he was alone at the South Summit. His father, Sherman, is ahead of him with a Sherpa, in the middle of the Hillary Step, blazing a trail for the rest of the team. The rest of the team is about a half hour behind Brad, just below the South Summit. We are thrilled to say the least! More updates as they come in! |
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May 25 |
May 25 |
At 8:15 this morning, Sherman Bull became the oldest man
to stand on top of the world! What a thrilling moment! Sherman
was accompanied by Lakpa Sherpa. |
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May 25 |
May 25 |
GREAT SUMMIT NEWS!!! At 9:10am Luis Erik W. Eric A.Jeff, Brad and Chris were approaching the summit. 9:30am Brad and Chris Morris reach the summit. At 9:40am Brad, Sherm and Chris head down from summit. At 9:55am PV radioed to report a weather change. Clouds are coming in and requests climbers to go down. At 10 am Luis, Erik W. and Erik A.and Jeff reach the summit. Michael Brown and Charley Mace followed shortly thereafter. By 10:15am Kami reports that all 8 Sherpas have summited. Didrik and Michael O'Donnell are above the Hillary Step and within sight of the summit. All climbers who have summited are now headed down to the South Col. We'll post more good news soon! This is history!!! |
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May 25 |
May 24 |
At 10:45 am Mike O'Donnell and Didrik made the
summit!!! That is 11 out of 13 team members who have summited
this morning. All members are on their way down at this moment.
PV is also traveling from Camp 3 to Camp 2. He is feeling better, but
he thinks that he came down with the flu that has been going around
camp. In addition to our friends and loved ones, all eight of our
Sherpas have summited today as well. They are: Lhakpa Tshering
Sherpa, Chhuldim Nuru Sherpa, Ang Passang Sherpa, Ang Kami Sherpa, Lhakpa
Tshering Sherpa, Pemba Choti Sherpa, Purba Bote, Ang Sona Sherpa. |
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May 25
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May 25 |
The climbers are all coming into Camp 4 at the South Col where they will be spending the night. Chris arrived at 12 Noon. Michael Brown and Jeff arrived at 3:15pm. Erik W, Brad, Sherm, Charley and Mike O just arrived at 3:30PM . Didrik, Eric, Luis at 4 pm.We are all relieved that the team is safely in Camp 4. They are eating, sleeping and we're sure telling stories of their summits! The plan is for the team to move down to Camp 2 tomorrow and finally back to Base Camp on Sunday. |
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May 26 |
May 25 |
The team had a good night’s rest at Camp 4 last night…well, best that you can at 26,000’! Their spirits are high (and probably will be for a long time) from the big day yesterday. They departed for Camp 2 in teams, carrying their personal gear and oxygen bottles. They are presently coming down the Geneva Spur across the Yellow Band and down the Lhotse Face. It is expected to take 2-3 hours to get down to Camp 2. Expedition leader, Pasquale Scaturro, departed Camp 2 for Base Camp this morning. The team’s work is not over until they are safely down to Base Camp with all of the gear. The Sherpas are carrying double and triple loads to get everything off the mountain. Base Camp members are looking forward to safely receiving each member across the last ladder in the ice fall and having us all back together! |
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May 26 |
May 25 |
11am we heard from Eric A., Chris, Mike O, Luis, Jeff and Steve. They are eating lunch and getting ready to go down to Camp 2. (Jeff was eating a Twix bar!) Everyone else is behind them, on the way down. We expect it will take 1 ˝-2 hours to get from Camp 3 to Camp 2. |
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May 26 |
May 26 |
All of the climbers are safely down to Camp 2. They are eating and hydrating and getting ready for the final climb tomorrow morning. They plan to leave Camp 2 by 7am. We hope the Base Camp celebration be in full swing by noon! PV arrived in Base Camp today at 3pm. He had an ‘epic’ day fixing the ice fall which has shifted considerably. Ladders had dropped into the crevasses and new, steep walls of ice exist. PV fixed a good route so our climbers will have a safe trip down. |
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May 27 |
May 27 |
HOORAY! All NFB team members have made it back down to Base Camp safely! All Base Campers traveled over to the base of the ice fall with drinks, video equipment, and cameras. We were eagerly awaiting the team, excited to congratulate them on their accomplishments. It was incredible to be able to greet everyone, team members and Sherpas. We are all pinching ourselves. We are thrilled to all be together again. |