Final Thoughts on Everest Summit Night. I am continually asked, which I think is to be expected, how I feel about not summiting. The thing that makes it easier is coming so close. The thing that makes it harder is coming so close. It doesn’t help that I feel confident that I would have summited. [...]

So many of you have expressed interest in Puchanga. Puchanga did summit! He was the last person on the top of Everest this year. Bud said many times that if there was any way possible, he at least wanted Puchanga to get to the top. It was hard for Bud not to make it to the [...]

May 23 -24 Everest Summit Pyramid Extremely Cold, Windy and Dark I’ve always wished life had a sound track.  Then you would know when the music was getting louder that the killer was behind you raising his knife. Just before we left our tent Puchhang changed out our O2 tanks for fresh ones.  When he [...]

Talked with Bud this morning.  He is dealing with having to turn around quite well.  There were victories and disappointments yesterday.  He is happy for those that summited and shares in the groans with those that didn’t.  All part of the experience of mountain climbing. He is at Camp 2 and making his way down. [...]

I have been unable to post since May 16 because of our summit push and retreat from the mountain.  I’ve decided to post my summit day now since that is what most people are interested in and jump back and catch the interim days next.  At present we are finally back in KTM after a [...]

Just talked with Bud.  The winds were blowing in the background almost obliterating his voice.  They are going to wait a few hours in the hopes that the winds will abate enough for a summit bid.  He thinks the chances are 1 in 4.  If they don’t abate, he will not make a summit attempt. [...]

Just received an e-mail from Sharon, Bill’s wife.  She said some are on the move.  We don’t know if that is Bud and Bill or not.  I know the suspense is killing me.  I will let you know when I know something.  I have heard nothing from Bud all day and hope this is a [...]

Bud called this evening and told me he had to turn around about 2,000 feet from the summit.  He experienced some oxygen delivery problems, if I understood him correctly.  Additionally, the winds were still higher than ideal for a safe summit. He will be returning to Base Camp and then home.  I am glad he [...]

I have to admit I did not sleep much last night and it looks like tonight will be much of the same.  Bud called this morning to update me on the summit schedule.  He said they have decided to spend the night at Camp 4 and plan a summit for around 10:00 a.m. our time [...]

C2 to C3, 23,600 feet Summit Push May 20 Sunny and Mild This morning I begin my push for the summit.  I will move to C3 today and C4 tomorrow.  If the weather is cooperating and I feel good when I get to C4 I’ll leave for the summit that night. From C2 there is [...]