CLIMBER UPDATE
This afternoon Mike Monahan decided to come back to base camp, accompanied
by Victor, one of the local guides. While Mike felt fine yesterday on the
hike up to Camp 1, and was well at dinner and when the team went to sleep,
around 3 a.m. he was hit with the intestinal bug (no one knows for sure
what’s going around. A virus? A bacteria? The altitude? What??) and was up
much of the night. He did start out with the group this morning for Camp
2/Nido but did not travel too far before realizing that continuing was not a
good option. Although it’s always a difficult decision to make, Mike decided
the best thing to do was to turn around and come down from high on the
mountain. I greeted him when he arrived, and took him down to medical just
as a precaution. All is well. Mike rested this afternoon and is up and
around this evening for dinner here in base camp.
Mike did tell me that it got COLD up at Camp 1/Canada last night, and a good
bit of snow fell. But, the DNA climbers all stayed warm in their tents, with
sleeping pads and good, quality sleeping bags. Mike said that Gary seemed to
be doing well, apparently rebounding well from not feeling well for awhile
before departing base camp. Mike did say that Marieke may have a touch of
whatever is going around. But, after Mike returned from medical I did hear
from the Aymara staff here at base camp that the team made it to Camp
2/Nido, so Mariele and the rest are hanging tough!
At 7 pm local time tonight I spoke to Marshall on the radio from Camp 2/Nido
and he confirmed that, yes the remaining climbers (Rick, Michael H.,
Theresa, Marieke, Robin, Gary, Jim, Bruce, Alex, and Mick D.) did make it to
Camp 2/Nido. They had departed Camp 1/Canada at about 11:30 a.m. and arrived
in Nido at about 3:30. He confirmed that Marieke did have a touch ofv
diarrhea and thus used the porter (that Mike had hired to carry his gear) to
carry her equipment – a smart decision. Gary is doing the same thing – using
a porter – conserving some of his energy. Marshall said that Marieke seems
to be recovering in camp tonight. He said that everyone else is feeling and
doing well. He said that the weather was mostly cloudy with maybe 10-15 mph
winds and that the weather seemed stable.
The weather forecast looks good for the DNA climbers to climb to Camp
3/Coleria, a camp just a few minutes above Berlin that the DAN climbers will
use instead of Berlin, as apparently Camp Berlin has gotten quite dirty. The
weather forecast for the 18th and beyond keeps on changing, but hopefully
the wind will stay low enough for the group to make their summit attempt on
the 18th (or on one of the contingency days, the 19th or 20th). Think
positive thoughts for them and all of the climbers on the mountain!
Glad to hear everyone is doing well and making smart decisions. Also good to know about the guides and their experience. Thanks for the posts. Keep the mental focus!
Hello Mick: Glad to hear you are still doing well. You are one tough dude! I look forward to the daily reports. It is truly amazing what technology allows us to do nowadays.
Stay safe.
Love Sharon
To Mike: I know it was hard for you to turn around – but some things are out of our control – and a bug is a bug. Hope the adventure so far was worth it – I have to think it had been very positive.
And to Heather: Thanks for all the regular information.
Heather
Thank you for all the info on the guides it was fascinating.
Bob
Mike, Mick,
We agree with Sharon and the others…thanks Heather. Mike proud of you sorry there will be no summit…but you will own part of Mick's summit because you are a great friend and you are really important to Mick….thanks buddy.
Mick you stay strong…you are something else…when we watch you climb it is like a gazel. You're almost there…Love ya Bill & Monica
Hi Theresa and Robin. T-I know how tough and determined you are to reach new heights. You will make it. Sorry to hear your stomach is protesting. As one of my favorite athletic hero once said "just don't panic"!. I am praying for stable conditions and low winds. Keep those crampons on tight and your ice axe ready cause here you go!-love Donna, Henry and K.
Heather,
We are so lucky to have you communicate with the team and all their families and friends. Thank you so much.
Stay warm. Donna Daus
Hi Heather!! Thanks for all the great info!! Alex..way to go buddy and keep plugging away..you're doing great man, just as I expected and will pray for good weather so you don't have to sit and wait at high camp, and can get right up there!! Stay strong man, and just follow in Marsh's footsteps!! Thanks again Heather!!!
Frank
Awww….so sorry Mike to hear that you had to turn back. We all know how important it is to "live to fight another day". Your team will miss you, but will carry you there in their thoughts. Heather will be glad for your company. Best to all – it is such a team effort!
Randi
ps – Hi to Bill W (Blackjacket)!!
Heather,
Thanks for all your info, its nice to know how they are doing!!! Hope you are doing well too:)
julie
Sounds like things are going great… all things considered. Gary, glad to hear you are on the mend. That bug must have been nasty and I'm in awe that you were able to forge ahead in that condition. Jim, stay strong. We'll give you a blow by blow of the regionals when you are back (much too long and bizarre to cover here). Seth climbed great and flashed 3/3 in the preliminary and 2/3 of in the finals. Love, Lecia, Seth, Ethan and Konan
Hi Mick D,
It is fun to follow your journey. Sharon and I are going to see Tanya today. Safe journey.
Susan
Mick
Hang tough just 2000 ft to go. Stay safe.
Brokaw
Bruce,Vikings just kicked the Cowboys right out of the playoffs, beating them 34 to 3. Piece of cake. Was way more exciting than it sounds. I'm praying your summit tomorrow is just as successful and exciting!I'll be thinking about you and your fellow climbers.Stay safe. Love you, Holly
P.S. Heather, Marshall, thanks for the updates!