Our second day in basecamp has been full of activity and celebration. After learning that Swiss climber Ueli Steck was here, we invited him to our tents to learn more about his plans for the mountain. Ueli is in the Himalaya this year in part to climb Mt. Everest without using supplemental oxygen. On a previous attempt, he had the presence of mind to turn around even though he was very close to the summit so as to avoid frostbite and a potentially deadly situation. We also met a 16 year old Nepali woman hoping to be the youngest Nepali female to climb the mountain.
We were able to hold our puja which was auspicious and beautiful: a truly amazing experience as we asked permission from the gods to climb on the mountain. This is a very important traditional Sherpa ceremony held to bless our team and our attempt on the peak. Prayer flags are now unfurled across our tents perched just below icefall. A celebration ensued closing out this most memorable day in basecamp with some festivities!
