Not the GPS Tracks I Expected to Share this Morning

When I went to bed last night, I could see Peter and Eric moving across the Western Cwm toward the Lhotse face as anticipated. Again, I took my phone to bed so I could track their progress anytime I woke up. In the middle of the night, I noticed that things were not as I expected. They had turned around at the base of the steep face and were back in Camp 2.

Eric sent me some messages: "Just wanted to let you know that we got turned around on the way to camp 3 by high winds and white-out conditions. Was nice this morning and forecasts were promising. We could see the camp on the Lhotse face. But near the steep ice, the wind picked up bad and the lead Sherpa radioed that we needed to go back. When the Sherpas tell you to turn around you know it's bad. Those guys are supermen. So, we are back in camp 2. It's a howling storm at the moment." 

"Peter is resting in his tent as we have our own now but just wanted to give you a quick update."

I sent him a message, marveling at even with all the latest meteorological data and high-tech equipment, it is so often the advice and guidance of the Sherpas that have so much sway. 

He responded, "The high tech is just window dressing. In the end, it is our frail human bodies wrapped in protective clothing moving through an ancient and harsh environment. The Sherpas climb up before us to set up the camps, then come back down to lead us up. Bring us tea and cook our meals. I can't say enough in their behalf. Nothing is possible without the Sherpas. Their strength endurance and good humor allow others to climb."

I don't know yet about further plans, and haven't checked the various team and climber updates to see how the other teams are doing. Watch for more updates today.