**This is going to be in somewhat of a Diary form from the view point of Jon Krakauer talking about the people place and events.**
As we are making it toward the base of Everest, I see so many types of people. Natives of the country are basically living off the land. But I also see many people that are Westernized, with their American sports team's shirts and American video games. But there is one thing most of these people have in common and that is embracing the fact that Everest is a huge tourist spot. They even have a whole museum (58) about Everest climbs. A huge chunk of the economy is based of this behemoth of a land formation.
I am having doubts about this trip. There are way too many people trying to climb at the same time and I am worried that someone will get lost or even die. I met these two guys, Hall and Harris, that are climbing with me and they are a little worried as well. They stress the fact that there are so many inexperienced climbers going along because they think guides are a free ticket to the summit. Hopefully they don't slow us down or ultimately make us not be able to make it.
Already, things have gotten ugly and we haven't even started climbing. Weather is becoming unbearable, environmental conditions are atrocious and people are already breaking limbs. Just hope our luck gets better.
YES, finally luck comes our way. Base camp is wonderful with heated water, fresh food and plenty of entertainment. This is a good way to start our ascent.
All of this soon disappears. The altitude is getting at me and I am wheezing heavily. (87) AND IT"S ONLY BASE CAMP!
Ok, we have decided a battle plan. We will climb to 4 camps before reaching the summit, each of which are 2000 feet higher than the previous. This way we can a rest and also make the process a little easier on our bodies and minds. Hall is an amazing guide, always on his toes and calculating the future making sure that we do not run into anything unexpected. We are, at least for me, are feeling much more comfortable climbing. Departure: April 13.
Climbing has started and so far it has not been to bad. Some climbers are falling behind so they had to turn back. Luckily my group is making good pace, maybe because Hall is our guide. We made it to Camp One fairly easily and will make our ascent to Camp 2 tomorrow.
I have found 2 dead bodies. That is not a good thing. 1 of them seemed to be Sherpa. Another is unknown. I hope this doesn't foreshadow any events.
Weather conditions have become increasingly hostile. Climbers are going down left and right and every day seems more bleak than the day before. Frostbite is starting to kick in as we climb for Camp three and we must turn back to thaw them out at Camp two. Even though the climb was hard, this day has finally sunk into us that the climb is going to be extremely difficult. "Even without unleashing the worst it could dish out, the mountain had sent us scurrying for safety" (163).
The summit is nearing, May 10 is our date.
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