Mt Everest Attempt

Post by **GWG** » Tue May 11, 2004 7:03 pm

Just wanted to share in the anxious excitement I've been having for the past few weeks. A good friend of mine is very close to his summit attempt of Mt Everest. Here is the link to the daily dispatches from their team.

http://www.mountainmadness.com/news/news.htm

They anticipate their target attempt date will be towards the end of this week or into the weekend. It's hard to believe they have been over there since the last week of March acclimatizing.

I had the opportunity to climb Mt Kilimanjaro with this guy last year and will look to do another high peak next year. If anyone is interested in hearing more about the possible trip next year and would consider joining us, drop me a line and we can provide the details.

I continue to pray for health and safety for their team as they make their attempt and return.

GWG

Post by **captain static** » Tue May 11, 2004 7:09 pm

Which person on the expedition is your friend?

Post by **GWG** » Tue May 11, 2004 7:37 pm

I guess it would help if I included that! Gary Ponder is his name.

Post by **captain static** » Tue May 11, 2004 7:45 pm

Has anyone read the article about Christine Boskoff (owner of Mountain Madness) in the Jan. issue of R&I? There is a link to it posted on the Mountain Madness website.

Post by **GWG** » Tue May 11, 2004 7:59 pm

I've had the opportunity to speak with her after my trip to Africa. She is an amazing woman.

I have only had experience dealing with Mountainmadness on that trip however everything was exceptional. I will definitely use them again when I head to Bolivia. They run a class operation. While on the mountain in Africa, the food was so good, I gained 5 lbs the week I was out there.

Gary has been on several trips with them and that speaks volumes in itself.

GWG

Post by **Christian** » Wed May 12, 2004 3:46 pm

Now, Geoff aren't you the same fellowing who wanted to sell some cams?
Are you still climbing ? or not?

Post by **GWG** » Wed May 12, 2004 4:16 pm

No cams needed on the mountain in Bolivia! Just some ice tools, crampons, some ice screws, and a thermos of hot drink.

Actually, a friend of mine got me out this past weekend to climb some trad. I scratched 'em up for the first time. After the first climb, I was telling myself, "self, I don't need this to get what I want out of climbing." It got much better after the next couple of routes though.

Christian, thanks for the message you sent me regarding hanging gear. It does gather dust but it's also nice to have it available just in case the urge ever hits to take it out and use it.

So, anyone interested in Illimani in 2005? 8)

Post by **Christian** » Wed May 12, 2004 5:36 pm

Duuude!
What is Illimani?

Post by **GWG** » Wed May 12, 2004 5:56 pm

It's the mountain I'll be climbing around this time next year. Elevation of 21,201'. Located in Bolivia. 3 peaks, 2 over 21,000' and the 3rd is 20,850'. Some technical rock and ice climbing on one of the mountains but mostly high altitude mountaineering. The time is 15 days and the cost will run about $3,000 plus airfare to La Paz.

If anyone has an interest in climbing Denali, this is a great training mountain for it. Even though Denali is not as high as these, it is much more demanding.

If you haven't had the experience at high altitude, check it out. It's pretty incredible.

GWG

Post by **Christian** » Wed May 12, 2004 7:30 pm

I have never been higher than 10K ft. Maybe 12k or even 14K this summer in Colorado.Then maybe we can talk. Sounds very cool.