April 25 - back at base camp - first rotation complete!

The process of summitting Everest involves making multiple rotations from base to higher camps on the mountain.  This process allows climbers to acclimatize to increasingly higher elevations, and to stock camps with food, gear, and fuel.  The Madison Mountaineering team’s plan is to make three rotations, the third being a summit attempt.  

So, the first rotation is complete!  The team returned to base camp early this morning, leaving camp 2 (21,300 feet) at 5 am, just as the horizon was turning pale shades of purple and pink.  It was cold, and a little windy and my crampons sounded like they were puncturing styrofoam on the descent from camp 2 to camp 1.  The terrain was mellow, so I was able to watch the sun light pristine peaks in the distance and was grateful for the amazing parts of the world that climbing affords me to witness.

Rapelling at sunrise
Photo:  Stuart Erskine

Although there were several queues of climbers to negotiate, the day continued smoothly, with a brief stop at camp 1 and then a safe descent through the Khumbu icefall.  

A crowd awaits as I cross a ladder
Photo:  Stuart Erskine

The plan is to rest at base camp for several days, allowing our bodies to recover and build gazillions of red blood cells before starting the next rotation.