5/10/06

Roger Coffey reports in from Base Camp

The BBC film crew in Base Camp seem to get a chuckle out of my accent. These three likable "blokes" were sent here to do a documentary on medicine in the Himalayas. Given our team's history, me and my southern speech continually land in front of the BBC camera. Somehow I don't think they mind. After staging a couple of mini renditions of life at home, John, Tim, and Phillip are beginning to realize that hillbillies are real. 
 

The team is within two days of having everyone acclimatized and now comes the anxious waiting for proper weather to begin the all or nothing - four day summit push! Guess correctly - and you put people on top. Guess wrong - and people turn around, 
too tired and too low on O2 to give it another go. Hence, Trip over. Hopefully, this will not be the case for Doug and his affiliated Asian Trekking climbers.

Maybe I should take a walk and leave the climbers to sort out their own nervous energy, returning only when there is a feeling of settled
plans? Much is riding on the decisions of the next week or two. Perhaps Apa's seasoned Everest wisdom will be the guiding counsel the climbers need amidst confusing weather reports - and rampant rumors of early summit windows from other teams?  

Talk to you soon,

Roger, TNL Base Camp Manager