 April 13, 2007Itinerary & AcclimitizationFirstly, thanks to the Colossus for putting up a post on his blog about my trip. The Colossus has been a great blog friend of mine, so hopefully I'll give him enough interesting material to pass along to the readers of his site. If not, I'm sure he'll photoshop John McCain and me salsa dancing together. Anyway, here is the 29,000 ft view of our trip. Rough Itinerary: May 9: Arrival to Kathmandu, Nepal (await Chinese Visa processing) May 12: Fly to Lhasa-3600m (11,800 feet) May 13: Sightseeing around Lhasa/acclimatizing May 14: Sightseeing around Lhasa/acclimatizing May 15: Rest day in Lhasa May 16: Drive to Gyantse-3,955m (12,959 ft) May 17: Sightseeing & drive to Shigatse-3,910m (12,828 ft) May 18: Sightseeing & drive Shigatse - New Tingri: 4,406m (14,455 ft) May 19: Drive Shegar - Rongbuk 5,200m (17,060 ft) May 20: Rest day Rongbuk Monastery May 21: Rest day Rongbuk Monastery May 22: Hike to Everest Base Camp to Camp 1st 5,466m (17,933 ft) May 23: Hike to interim camp 5,762m (18,904 ft) May 24: Rest day interim camp May 25: Hike to Camp II 5,970m (19,586 ft) May 26: Hike to Camp III ("Advanced Base Camp") - 6,340m (20,800 ft) May 27: Return to Rongbuk Monastery May 28: Drive to Nyalam May 29: Drive Nyalam -Zhungmu- Kathmandu We plan to depart Kathmandu for U.S. on Friday, 1 June. ------ The highest point that we'll reach is very interesting when put into perspective. We'll be just shy of 21,000 ft and will be higher than the highest point in North America (Mt Denali/McKinley 20,320 ft) and about 2,000 ft below the highest point in South America (Mt Aconcagua 22,841 ft). At Camp III, we'll still be looking up at a beast whose summit will be looming 8,000 ft, (gulp) or over a mile and half, higher than where we'll be standing! Even without being there, it is easy to comprehend why it took man so long to finally reach the summit. Also, note the acclimitization method. Once you get over 17,000 ft, proper acclimitization allows for an average of 1,000 ft of gain per day. For example, if you go from 15,000 to 18,000 ft gaining 3,000 ft, you should rest for 2 days at or below 18,000 ft. Over 3 days, you average 1,000 ft gain. Clearly, everyone responds to altitude differently, but this "rule" provides a good framework to plan you trip around versus being an absolute measure. For me personally, the initial days at altitude should not be problematic. I have done several trips to the Sierras where I went sea level to 14,000 ft in less than 24-hours without any adverse side-effects other than a shorter breath. I've had some climbers on trips who were phenomenal athletes who were puking their guts out just short of 10,000 feet--chalk that up for good fortune in the gene pool. Question for readers before I wrap this up: What is the composition of the "plume" that you see coming off the summit of Everest? Just as before, do not Google the answer. Here is a picture of Everest and her Plume:
Comments
Incredible dude. I honestly can't believe you are doing this. I just can't believe you can get that much time off work, but that's just because I only get the lame 2 weeks vacation. But still, you going to Tibet and will be on Mt. Everest. That is strong. Are you going to have to hire your own Sherpa or rent a yak? I definitely think you should get some pics with you and yak. Oh, I'm riding 180 miles this weekend on a bicycle through some rolling hills in Texas. But that doesn't even measure on the TF6S Richter scale of adventure. But it's all I've got man. And after that is over my adventure sport will be mowing my grass with the occasional use of the weed wacker. Good luck on the trip. I definitely want to read posts about it and see photos. Anybody who takes on an adventure of this magnitude is a rock star in my eyes. Live on the edge! The view's better from there!! Rick, I love you brother. Only because you are the only one reading this site, though. We'll have Sherpas and yaks, so I'll do my best to take my picture riding them...I mean riding the yak. 180 miles??? What are you, freaking INSANE? Posted by: TF6S at April 19, 2007 05:24 PMPost a comment
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