We are in our tents at 23, s 350′ on the Lhotse Face listening to the snow gently falling.
We left camp 2 about 6 AM for our important night at Camp 3.
What I found amazing from my last climb here were the crowds. I guess there were over 150 climbers today and as a result it was slow going since we all shared the same fixed rope..
But the good news was that I arrived at C3 feeling the ever and in my fastest time ever.
It was hot early then some clouds moved in cooling things off and the snow started just as we crawled into the tents.
The Face was just as steep as I remembered, especially the first 300 feet. According to the Sherpas, the ice is particularly hard and it is difficult to carve flat tent platforms.
We had a great view of the Geneva Spur and the Yellow Band. We should be climbing those in 10 to 12 days from now.
I am pretty excited to be back up here and feeling good but my thoughts did drift today to my Mom given it is Mother’s Day.
I was giving a presentation a few days before I left. It was on Alzheimer’s and Everest. A smalll girl sat quietly in her Father’s lap through the hour. I noticed her because she seemed to be paying such close attention for a young girl.
when it came time for some questions she raised her tiny hand. “Yes?” I asked as I called on her.
“What is your Mother’s name” she asked.
“Ida” I answered with a smile.
Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.
Alan
