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Trek Dispatches
Satellite phone updates from Todd Burleson's Alpine Ascents Khumbu Trek
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Janow
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From the Top of Kala Pattar
Friday, April 10, 1998 — Gorak Shep (17,000')
 | Hear Gordon Janow's call from Gorak Shep
Click for [RealAudio] or [NetShow]
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Satellite phones for Everest cybercasts provided by MVS/USA
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Hi, it's Gordon. We've just climbed Kala Pattar (18,448') in absolutely stunning weather. The skyscape of the mountains: Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and of course Everest were absolutely brilliant. The entire group made it to the summit. It was probably the clearest day I've seen since I've been here — really an outstanding experience.
Everest, Nuptse, and the Khumbu Icefall
viewed from the summit of Kala Pattar (18,448')
[click to zoom] (photo: Fred Blume)
We're spending the night in Gorak Shep. Where we'll have a celebratory dinner under the moonlight sky and stars of our camp. As you know we're all staying in large Himalayan hotels. We're actually able to move around to each others tents at night and enjoy this place which is somewhat desolate otherwise.
We'll probably head to base camp tomorrow morning, hookup with Wally and the gang. Some of us will stay there and some of us might come back and do some climbing back here, maybe just to Pumori base camp. Some might move ahead and actually make a little ascent towards Ama Dablam base camp, so these things are still up in the air, but again it was an absolutely stunning day out here. I couldn't imagine anybody being happier. A perfect moment in a wonderful life. We'll speak to you guys soon. Bye.
— Gordon Janow, Alpine Ascents International Program Director
