Exploring Your Planet, because someone has to!

Email Addresses

2012-01-25T22:41:00.000+05:30

Cheers,

Scott Woolums

AMGA Certified Alpine Guide

Adventures International Inc.
PO Box 1006
Hood RIver, OR 97031

www.ExploreYourPlanet.com

Scott@ExploreYourPlanet.com
+1-541-490-5028

-----Original Message-----
From: christine dube [mailto:c_dube@hotmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2011 3:41 PM
To: Scott
Subject: [SPAM] Re: Vero!!

Hey scott!! We had an amazing day hiking and a few funny adventures to tell
you!! We just got into punta natales, sitting down to eat a good steak!! But
unfortunately we won't be back in Punta Arenas until tomorrow afternoon!!
Hopefully we will see you then but if we don't, that's a good sign for us
and we will see you in base camp!!
Cheers,
Christine and Vero
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

-----Original Message-----
From: Scott <scott@exploreyourplanet.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:23:48
To: <c_dube@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Vero!!

Hi Veronique and Christine! Hope your vacation to Torres was good. Sounds
like I am flying tomorrow, maybe. Hope to see you tonight if you can! I am
in town just finishing stuff up. Call or write or we'll see you at vbc! I
hope tonight fof dinner or a beer!

Ciao, Scott

Cheers,

Scott Woolums

541-490-5028
AMGA Certified Alpine Guide

Sent from Android

christine dube <c_dube@hotmail.com> wrote:

>Hi scott its Vero now we don't understand if its your hotel or other place
(11th floor or 11pm?) but we go soon could you call brian for us. Thanks see
you in few minutes write us if you receive this email
>Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Scott <scott@exploreyourplanet.com>
>Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:59:53
>To: <c_dube@hotmail.com>
>Subject: Re: Vero!!
>
>Sorry do not have brians email. I will head to dreams 11th floor.
Hopefully sooner! Ciao Scott
>
>Cheers,
>
>Scott Woolums
>
>541-490-5028
>AMGA Certified Alpine Guide
>
>Sent from Android
>
>christine dube <c_dube@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>Hey scott, we will stop by that place within the hour, most likely 45
min?? Is that ok with you?
>>Do u have brian's email??
>>Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Scott <scott@exploreyourplanet.com>
>>Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:32:45
>>To: <c_dube@hotmail.com>
>>Subject: Re: Vero!!
>>
>>Never too much wine! Can meet there or at Dreams. Dreams is the lg glass
hotel by the water. Brian is at the Felipe Hotel 612-950-00 not sure of hes
there or out or his room. Scott
>>
>>Cheers,
>>
>>Scott Woolums
>>
>>541-490-5028
>>AMGA Certified Alpine Guide
>>
>>Sent from Android
>>
>>christine dube <c_dube@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>Hey scott!! We are at La Luna! We r finishing dinner, having too much
wine, but we want some more!!! Haha! Vero wants to know if u can reach
Brian, she didn't have time to reach him by email. It would be great for all
4 of us to meet for drinks!!
>>>The whole gang is still here for now, we can meet here in a bit or all 4
of us meet somewhere else if that's better for you.
>>>Christine and Vero
>>>Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
>>>
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: Scott <scott@exploreyourplanet.com>
>>>Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:39
>>>To: <c_dube@hotmail.com>
>>>Subject: Re: Vero!!
>>>
>>>Hi Christine,
>>>
>>>Sounds good. Let me know when your finished with dinner and I can meet
you and vero in town. Theres some great places to meet for a drink! Yahoo!
>>>
>>>Scott
>>>
>>>
>>>Cheers,
>>>
>>>Scott Woolums
>>>
>>>541-490-5028
>>>AMGA Certified Alpine Guide
>>>
>>>Sent from Android
>>>
>>>christine dube <c_dube@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>>Hi scott! This is christine!! U can reach Vero through my email tonight
as I will have my phone with me. Hope we get to meet up for a drink!
>>>>Cheers,
>>>>Christine
>>>>Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>

From the Summit of Everest!

2011-05-22T21:05:00.000+05:30

Scott Woolums reporting from Everest Base Camp.

Update from Everest Base Camp

2011-05-14T19:48:00.000+05:30

After much analysis of a variety of forecasts, we have decided that a window of lower winds starting May 19^th looks like it will be hopeful for a summit attempt. We will be checking that every day for any changes, but it looks good. So the whole team is off tomorrow morning at 4am for Camp 2. We are planning a couple days there to rest and reacclimatize, then move up to Camp 3, Camp 4 and the summit. Right now it looks to be the 19^th. But no promises as the weather has been fickle and the forecasts even more so. Everyone is ready, healthy and happy to be on the move. We will post more over the next few days, but for now everyone is excited to be heading up and doing some last minute packing in preparation for our 4 am departure tomorrow.

Scott Woolums reporting from Everest Base Camp.

Crazy Wind Storm at Camp 2!

2011-05-08T16:47:00.000+05:30

Lots has happened in the last few days. Irek, Newall, Gregg and I made our way pu to Camp 3 at 24,000 ft. on May 6^th in perfect weather. A very enjoyable…and difficult day. Spent another rest/acclimatization day in Camp 2 before coming down this morning. Last night after quite a nice day, the winds kicked up..and up. One of the bigger wind events I have seen at Camp 2. It blew 50-80 all through the night and even harder this morning. We are fine, our team lost 2 tents in the wind storm. We are luckier than most as I would guess over 30% of all the tents in Camp 2 were destroyed. A little excitement this morning. All team members are now here in Base Camp and we are planning a short rest/recovery from spending the last 6 nights at and above 21,500 ft. Off to the small village of DIngboche in the morning. Bills team left this morning so we will reunite with all tomorrow. Its getting closer. This last wind storm illustrates the risks of earlier summits, possible, but not always safest or most successful. Now we will watch the weather closely to make our rotation back up the hill and onto the summit! After a few days rest!!

Scott Woolums reporting from Everest Base Camp.

Camp 2

2011-05-03T16:01:00.000+05:30

Quick update! The whole team is here in Camp 2 at 21,500 ft on our second rotation up now. Going well, everyone is healthy and the weather is being its usual good, mixed, snow, hot sunshine…all in the last 15 mins! Planning a climb to Camp 3 in the next few days.

Scott and Bill from Camp 2, Mt Everest.

Back Down in Base Camp!

2011-04-27T09:35:00.000+05:30

Its been a super busy week with a big push up to Camp 1 at 20,500 ft. for 2 nights, then on up to Camp 2 at 21,700 ft. The whole team is moving well. Up in Camp 2 I definitely had some issues with a bad cough, so the next morning returned here to Base Camp to recover some. Not a serious problem, just the only way these things can clear is by being at a lower altitude. Chris Davenport and Neal made a few turns up on the side of Nuptse this rotation, Yahoo! Some photos from Camp 1 and up to Camp 2.

Scott Woolums reporting from Everest Base Camp

Enjoying Base Camp!

2011-04-18T14:48:00.000+05:30

Checking in here from Base Camp. Its been busy getting everything organized, loads ready to go up, communications, solar power and all. But everything is good to go. We have finished some training and fixed line practice in the ice towers near our camp. Yesterday morning we had our Puja, or blessing ceremony we always do before going into the icefall. This is important for the Sherpa team and is a good way to create a tighter team feeling between members and sherpas. The Puja is an important ceremony for the Sherpa and they won’t start climbing until we’ve had this ceremony/blessing. It is a milestone in the expedition as now the climbing really begins. This morning at about 3 am our Sherpa team started up thru the icefall hauling 19 loads up to Camp 1, and by 9 am they were rolling back into base camp. We’ve got a strong crew, and the route seems to be in really good shape so far this year.

Base camp is very comfortable here, 100% solar power, good communications, hot shower, and our amazing cook Serki! He has been working with us for the last 3 years and really is outstanding. Yesterday also we had the strategy session with all leaders of the expeditions in base camp. Always good to see lots of friends and to coordinate with other expeditions to get ropes and equipment in place to fix lines on the upper mountain. A number of teams did not show, so between 8 teams or so, all the upper mountain fixed line equipment and supplies have to be ferried up. That’s 53 loads or so for the Sherpas, lots of work.

Today we are off towards Pumori for another hike before we start into the ice fall.

Scott and Bill from Everest Base Camp, Nepal

Enjoying Base Camp!

2011-04-18T09:19:00.000+05:30

Today we are off towards Pumori for another hike before we start into the ice fall.

Scott and Bill from Everest Base Camp, Nepal

From Lobouche

2011-04-13T15:00:00.001+05:30

Perfect morning trekking up to Lobouche at almost 16,000 ft. Enjoying the good food at the Eco Lodge here. Day after tomorrow will see us in Base camp. Tomorrow we plan a climb of Kala Patar then spend the night at Gorak Shep. Quite the change starting last year with cell phone access along the trek route.

Scott Woolums reporting from Lobouche, Nepal

From Dingboche

2011-04-13T15:00:00.000+05:30

In the small village of DIngboche now. Enjoyed a good day yesterday with the whole team here. Some mixed weather yesterday. Bills group left this morning for Lobouche. Everyone is doing extremely well. This morning we took off for a big hike up towards a small lake below the North Face of Ama Dablam. Outstanding morning and spectacular views out over the whole Khumbu region. Perfect acclimatization trek up to over 16,000 ft. with Irek, Newall, Gregg and I. So after 3 nights here we are planning to trek onto Lobouche tomorrow morning. We are only a few days now away from Base Camp, Yahoo!

Scott Woolums reporting from Dingboche, Nepal

Kala Patar Today!

2011-04-13T14:57:00.000+05:30

Almost everyone summited Kala Patar just above the small village of Gorak Shep this morning. Only Bill and I stayed back. This is the very last stop on the way to Everest Base Camp. Usually the end of the road for most trekkers in the Khumbu area. Some fresh snow last night but blue skys this morning. Our forecasts look good for the next few days, basically more of the same clear mornings and overcast afternoons. A very normal pattern for this time of the year. So hi from all of us. Tonight Bills group is all in Base Camp, my group will be there tomorrow mid-day! Yahoo, getting closer!

Scott Woolums reporting from Gorak Shep

An Amazing Trek Today!

2011-04-07T17:50:00.001+05:30

Fantastic hike up to Namche here yesterday. Sunshine most of the day. Enjoyed a good reunion with the rest of our team at the Moonlight Lodge in Namche Bazaar! Early today we said farewell to Bills group as they are on the way up to Debouche today. My team is staying here in Namche an additional night. Went for a spectacular walk up to the Everest View Lodge and onto the small village of Khumjung where the Sir Edmond Hillary School is located. Our first view of Everest this morning, complete with extremely high winds. Will be watching that closely over the next few weeks as the jet stream winds around the mountain. Perfect day, just a little cool and windy here. Now we are back at the Moonlight Lodge and enjoying a quiet afternoon. Photos from our hike this morning.

Scott Woolums reporting from Namche Bazaar, Nepal

Kathmandu!

2011-04-04T09:31:00.000+05:30

Update from Kathmandu!

Yesterday morning Bills group, including Ephi, Chris, Neil and 3 trekkers flew into Lukla…in helicopters! Perfect day and Bill sent a message saying everything is going well from Phakding. Newall, Irenuz and I will be flying in tomorrow morning to start our trek. Including 2 other trekkers. The plan is to meet the other team after a few days. Lots of time, we are actually a few days ahead of our schedule last year. All of us are looking forward to getting out on the trail and away from the gritty streets of Kathmandu.

Scott Woolums in Kathmandu, Nepal

Permit Issued Today! Dinner at Dwarikas!

2011-04-02T06:34:00.001+05:30

Welcome to Kathmandu! Our whole team is here now. Lots of projects mixed with great mini adventures around town! Had our briefing and received our climbing permit today. Out to Dwarikas for dinner. An old completely restored Rana Palace, that’s one of the nicest places in town. Awesome meal! See menu! Off to the Shymabunath Temple this morning, photos later! Bill, Neiol, Chris and EPhi will be off to Lukla tomorrow. I will stay for a couple more days to make sure things are in order before flying into start the trek to Base Camp! Yahoo, it all begins again!

Scott in Kathmandu, Nepal

Kathmandu!

2011-03-31T13:34:00.000+05:30

Quick update! In Kathmandu and off for another Everest expedition! Very nice to be back, seeing lots of friends. Kathmandu is the same as always. Enjoying just being here at the Yak and Yeti hotel. A small oasis within utter chaos! Lots of projects but will keep updating every few days, all the way to the summit and back! So far Gregg, Debbie, Newall, Diane, Bill and myself are here now. Ephi, Chris and Neil are due in this afternoon.

Scott from Kathmandu, Nepal

Back from Antarctica at Last!

2011-02-11T00:16:00.000+05:30

A long time down south, way south! I will post separate posts for each trip we did. Simply the most amazing season ever yet in Antarctica. The season started with on time flights straight into the new Base Camp this year on the Union Glacier, then directly out to Vinson Base Camp where Andy Holzner and Team and myself managed to do a very fast Vinson expedition in perfect weather. Andy is totally blind, what a lesson in determination and capabilities! Several days of great AT skiing before and after in super light Antarctic Feather Powder!

Next up was an unplanned opportunity to guide a "Ski the Last Degree" expedition, with 2 days to prep! Off we flew to 89 degrees south with a small team of Chinese to ski the last 60 or so miles to the South Pole. That went very well (still thawing out from that!). Quite a feeling being out so far and watching the sun spin circles overhead. The sun never sets and changes 15 degrees almost every hour. Quite disorienting! So my first time to the South Pole, Yahoo!

Back to the Union Glacier for a few days, then back out to the South Pole, this time to hang out for 5 days with Richard Parks, retired Rugby Star and super nice guy. Spent New Year's there and had an opportunity to Kite Ski every day! Spectacular Parhelions every day! see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parhelic_circle .

And then another supposed quick trip back to the South Pole, an overnight that turned into 4 days this time with another ANI guide, Winslow and her Chinese Team, also Neil (there for an overnight camping adventure!) and David Rootes. We all made the most of some quite bad weather this time before flying again back to the Union Glacier.

Spent quite awhile here guiding clients on various skiing and climbing adventures. 4 ascents of the local Mt Rossman including a couple first ski descents. Perfect kiting conditions most evenings. A lot of delays this year with the Illyshin-76 aircraft taking people to/from Chile. So camp here was a busy place most of January.

Then the trip I had been waiting for since the start of the season, guiding an expedition out to the quite remote Mt. Sidley in the Marie Byrd Land region of Antarctica. 550 miles out from BC to the highest volcano in Antarctica. It's one of the new seven volcanic summits of the world. An interesting opportunity that turned into a fast and successful adventure up a new route and quite probably the second ascent of the mountain itself. Sidley is a huge volcano with half the crater blown apart very much like St Helens, yet still 14,000 ft. high. A relatively easy route leads up the East ridge which we did in 44 hours out of our Base Camp climbing and skiing 23 of those hours. We had flown out in a turbine converted DC-3 aircraft which waited for us at BC. Very nice to ski right onto the plane and fly back quickly. Lots more on this soon.

Scott

Wahoo- Training for Antarctica.... in Mexico!

2010-11-28T11:57:00.001+05:30

So how do you train for Antarctica? 1 hour of snorkeling, 10 miles hiking in the deep sand, tennis, afternoon kitesurfing session and then 30 min oceanswim! Life is good, so a few more days here in Cabo, then home for one very short day before flying off to Punta Arenas, Chile on the 28th. The first stop on the (long) way to Antarctica. Our flight south to Antarctica is scheduled for Dec 3rd. I will again be working with Antarctic Expeditions and Logistics at Vinson and the Union Glacier for 60 long days! Its all good, lots of free time for kiteskiing, exploreing,climbing and skiing in some of the lightest powder on earth! So will try to post some updates, but communications is challenging. Hope this finds everyone having a happy thanksgiving and onto a great holiday season!

More Safari Photos!

2010-11-11T03:21:00.001+05:30

Awesome Safari!

2010-11-11T03:19:00.001+05:30

Just back again to Arusha. What an amazing safari to the best of 5 differnt game parks in northern Tanzania! We had a few concerns concerning the local presidential elections going on as Tanzania actually relected their president. No protests which is always nice. SO after Arusha Park we left for Tarangiri and the very nice Tarangiri Safari Lodge. Followed by Lake Manyara Park, then the vast Serengeti and back via Nogorongoro Crater. Endless wildlife throughout these areas. SPotting everything from Cheetahs, Leopords and Lion to Dik Dik, Baboons and zebra. Just simply amazing! Everyone enjoyed the safari, lots of bouncing around and long days but very rewarding! Now back to the USA again! Scott Woolums reporting from Arusha, Tanzania!

Just Back from Arusha Park!

2010-11-04T00:28:00.001+05:30

First day on safari! Out to Arusha Park and what a great day. Tomorrow Tarangiri Park.... Scott reporting from Arusha, Tanzania.

Back from Kilimajaro!

2010-11-02T20:46:00.001+05:30

We are just back here in Arusha, Tanzania this afternoon after a great Kilimanjaro climb! And yes everyone reached the summit! A big zuri sana to all the members. Really enjoyed a good trek in over 5 days across the Shira Plateau, then around the Northern Circuit and up to our high camp on the Rongai route, then a perfect summit morning saw us all on the top at 8am. A tough long day but good. Now the team is getting some well needed R and R in Arusha before we atart out on safari tomorrow morning. Should be able top post another report tomorrow evening. Yahoo! Scott Woolums reporting from Tanzania!

Were all Here and Off to Kili Today!

2010-10-27T11:04:00.001+05:30

A long flight for the Kilimanjaro Team, but were here and all things are good! We are off this morning for Kilimanjaro. Its still a bit of a journey today, 5+ hours to the start of the trek, then 3 to 4 hours to camp. So the adventure begins! We will be posting a report as soon as we are back here in Arshua after the climb. That will be on the 2nd. Scott Woolums reporting from Arusha, Tanzania.

On the Road to Africa!

2010-10-24T02:36:00.002+05:30

John and I just left for Africa. And no, they do not have Moose in Africa, were in St Paul, MN on our way to Amsterdam and onto Kilimanjaro. Its a long way there, 24 hours or so in transit. Looking forward to being there and actually relaxing. Its been an extremely busy push to pull everything together for this, but now its all about going for a hike up Kili and seeing the best of Africa in Northern Tanzania! Scott reporting from another airport somewhere!

Off to Africa in a Couple Weeks!

2010-10-07T02:58:00.001+05:30

Quick update on the upcoming Africa trip. The Montana Team is off to Kilimanjaro... followed by a safari to 5 different game parks in Tanzania! This is one of my favorite trips. Exotic, challenging and spectacular! Follow updates here starting October 23rd. Scott Woolums reporting from Hood River, Oregon

Next Year!

2010-09-15T03:04:00.001+05:30

Were all preparing now for our next years expedition to Mt Everest! Join us.... on one of the true challenges on our planet!

Namaste,

Bill Allen and Scott Woolums

Thanks to Our Sherpa Team!

2010-09-15T02:55:00.000+05:30

We all wanted to say thank you again to our Sherpa team, one of the hardest working teams on the hill! Without them, this really would not be nearly as successful. These guys are some of the most stellar people on this planet! You simply could not ask for a better team for climbing Mt Everest with. I can say over many expeditions climbing with this team, I would not up high without everyone of our Sherpas!

From all of us at Mt. Trip, Thank You!

Scott Woolums

Celebrations and Congratulations!

2010-09-15T02:50:00.000+05:30

Thanks and Congratulations come in many forms!

Enjoying Kathmandu!

2010-09-15T02:49:00.000+05:30

A quick update from Kathmandu here. A very busy couple days as we flew out from Base Camp in helicopters down to Lukla, and from there connected (after an extra night in Lukla!) onto Kathmandu. Awesome to be down and celebrating one of the best trips ever. Now we are waiting for bags to show up for onwards flights home. Lots to do wrapping everything up. Mostly enjoying just being with the team and out for meals. Kathmandu definitely has a festive atmosphere now with a lot of teams here now. Lots more still hiking out. The helicopter option is definitely a good choice as when its time to go out, were there! Staying at the Yak and Yeti, a good place to decompress (unacclimitize!) while meeting friends and taking care of business in Kathmandu style!

Scott Woolums reporting from Kathmandu!

More Photos from Up High!

2010-05-26T19:02:00.001+05:30

Wahoo! Everyone is very excited (and exhausted) right now in Base Camp. Its
hard to believe that we made it, all of us. Reality is slowly sinking in. Up
till now we have been just too tired to really appreciate what just
happened! Everyone worked very hard for this goal. Its just simply amazing.
So we have attached some more photos from the summit push. A more few
details. Watching the weather forecasts closely, we made a decision to go up
to Camp 3 on the 21st. Simply perfect day, no wind, everyone moving well to
a small chopped out perch at 24,000 ft. on the Lhotse Face. Beautiful sunset
later, then super cold weather. Next morning looked perfect so off we went
to Camp 4 at 26,00ft., starting very early. Along the way we had to climb
the Yellow Band and the Geneva Spur. These are quite challenging at this
altitude. Quite a few people moved up to high camp on the same schedule as
us. Probably close to 80 people. It's a big mountain though, so people get
scattered quickly. So again, a very good day to move up. Into Camp 4 around
noon, so we had some time to rest, rehydrate and recover some. Then the wind
kicked in quite strong. Over the next few hours we were on the fence if we
would wait till the 24th to go as there were huge streamers of wind and
blowing snow coming off the top and through the South Col. Both Bill and I
were seriously worried about conditions...then the wind just stopped about
an hour before we had planned to leave for the summit. Remarkable and lucky!
So we continued to prepare and were off at 8.30pm on the 22nd for the top.
Yep, that's 8.30pm the day before! A long hard, cold night of climbing up
across the South Col, up the Triangle Face towards the Balcony. It's a night
of fighting personal fears, freezing cold and simply watching a small
headlight beam in front of you. It seems to take forever up to the Balcony
at close to 28,000ft. This is really our first stop in the dark to change
out our first Oxygen bottle. We had a total of 11 sherpa climbing with us,
carrying extra Oxygen which makes life up here safer, warmer and for most of
us...even possible! So from the Balcony we started up the difficult rock
climbing/scrambling towards the South Summit. This is where it slooowllly
got light, then we watched one of the most amazing sunrises over Tibet. We
had been climbing almost 8 hours at this point and those first rays of sun
felt simply amazing! So we now were in good position, winds were still light
and everyone was still moving well. AT the South Summit we again change out
our Oxygen so we have plenty for the climb over from the South Summit to the
Main Summit of Everest. This next section is where the famous "Hillary Step"
is. It's a very narrow, exposed ridge with quite interesting climbing at
well over 28,500 ft. now. After the Hillary Step, it's a slow climbing
traverse up and over to the main summit. Yahoo, we had all made it! As well
as our whole Sherpa team. That's 18 of us total! Top of our planet! The
winds were now blowing maybe 20 mph and it was farily cold, but still more
or less perfect weather for the summit! We spent almost an hour taking
pictures and enjoying the outstanding views all around us! SO then the long
descent begins. Quite a lot of cloud and wind moved in as we reached the
Balcony. This is where we loaned one of our sherpas, Gombu, to help another
climber with possible Cerebral Edema and who was having some troubles (later
this went well and he was evacuated from Camp 2). This climber was not in
our group. Anyways, quite a sporty descent and night as the winds and snow
continued till the next morning. So we had found the small window to summit
in. Not all teams are so lucky!

Now we are in Base Camp and packing everything as tomorrow there will not be
a camp here! Everything is getting loaded into barrils, onto Yaks for the 3
day descent back to Lukla where our equipment will be transferred to
Kathmandu. We have scheduled 2 charter helicopters for the flight out
leaving tomorrow morning. So it will be quite a shock to go from Base Camp
directly to Kathmandu in 1 day! But I can safely say that everyone is very
much looking forward to being back to civilization and everything that
holds! Although Kathmandus more of a transition back. So enjoy the photos,
more stories soon! And then Everest 2011.....

Scott Woolums Reporting from Everest Base Camp

Oh yes and some photos from the descent!

2010-05-26T19:02:00.000+05:30

Your only halfway on the summit! Sometime the descent can be quite
challenging. We had some high winds and snow as we left Camp 4, then things
continued to improve. Enjoy!

Scott

Everest Summit 2010!

2010-05-26T09:12:00.000+05:30

Yahoo! We are all back safe in Base Camp after a very successful summit on
May 23rd, 2010. We will keep this short as lots going on here in Base Camp.
But we wanted to get out the news that 7 members and 11 sherpa summited at
just after 9am in very good weather. Just a light wind, clear skys and
amazing views! We spent well over 30 mins. On top before starting down to
the South Col. Before getting back near the Balcony, we were caught by the
afternoon convective clouds with higher winds and snow with low visibility.
Back in Camp 4 it continued to snow and blow hard all night. More or less
shuting the mountain down, although we did hear a group made the summit in
poor conditions. Crazy weather, from super good to whiteout and blowing.
Anyways, were here in Base Camp, everyone is doing very well. No injuries,
no frostbite, no worries!

Lots more photos and stories on the way! Yahoo!

Scott Woolums reporting from Everest Base Camp.

High Winds in Camp 2!

2010-05-20T13:20:00.001+05:30

5/19

Well its been an exciting day. Beautiful clear weather, just quite windy
this afternoon and tonight. We are planning to leave for Camp 3 tomorrow
morning, so hopefully we'll see less winds tomorrow for our trip up the
Lhotse Face. The weather forecasts have not offered a clear window this
year. Now we are trying to thread a needle (with several hundred other
climbers) between the Jet Stream, which is now very near Everest and an
approaching Cyclone in the Bay of Bengal that is heading our way soon. We
are looking at the 22nd now. Its going to be a windy climb up to the South
Col over the next couple days. We are actually in a very good position to
wait a day in C3 or C4 if conditions are unreasonable. We have lots of
Oxygen for any delays up high and one of the strongest Sherpa Teams on the
hill! Looking forward starting our summit push! Yahoo!

Scott Woolums reporting from Camp 2, Mt. Everest.

Waiting in Camp 2

2010-05-20T13:20:00.000+05:30

Seriously high winds on Everest. Some of the strongest winds I have seen. We
can hear the jet stream just above us ripping at the summit right now. We
had plans to move up to C3 today, and onto the South Col on the 21st. So
much for that! The whole upper mountain is being raked by winds of 50 to 100
mph. We went for a short walk this morning with hopes the winds could drop,
but only 1 hour out of camp it became quite clear that we were only going
for a short hike and not to the top of Everest this time. Everything looks
better for the 23rd now so that's our new focus. Our forecasts are looking
like the Cyclone will be bringing moisture to the Everest region around the
24 and 25th now. So another rest day in camp 2 playing cards, listening to
the wind and getting ready for tomorrow. Quite a few people moved to
C3today, we counted over 50. Although the winds have definitely increased
now, so our guess is some if not most will change plans and come down today.
Camp 3 is disappearing in huge waves of blowing snow from the South Col all
the way across the Lhotse Face to Lhotse Summit. Very impressive to see, not
to be in!

Photos from below the Lhotse Face this morning.

Scott Woolums reporting from Camp 2, 21,500ft., Everest.

Ready to Go!

2010-05-14T20:09:00.000+05:30

Well its been a long trip of preparation, planning, travel, trekking, and
acclimitization to be here and now. Everything is ready to go for Everest.
Now its just a little waiting till we have a solid weather window. Everyone
is watching our forecasts for some break in the high winds that have been
pounding Everest for a week. There is a forecast for the winds to drop
starting the 23rd om May. Right now the Jet Stream is park right over the
mountain and weaving back and forth near the summit. And Everest sits right
up in the Jet Stream so its been quite exciting watching the winds hammer
the whole upper mountain.

Life here in Base Camp is quite comfortable. Cocktail hour at 4 with
appitizers, 2 heaters going off. Supper good shower and lots of interesting
hikes in the area to stay fit and entertained. Today we went up to Pumori
Camp 1 at around 19,500 ft. Fantastic views across the Khumbu Glacier to
Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse. Could see the entire North Ridge on the Tibet
side as well. Perfect day down low here.

SO all is good, will be going up in the next few days and as soon as were
back down, will post hopefully some photos from the summit! This will be my
5th summit if all goes well!

Photo from up on Pumori today!

Cheers to All,

Scott

Waiting in Base Camp......

2010-05-13T21:16:00.000+05:30

Back in Base Camp and playing the waiting game now. Have been following all
the forecasts closely. Back a couple days ago from a super good break down
in Dingboche. Right now our Sherpa team is also taking a well deserved break
before we all move up for our summit go. Everything on the mountain is
completely set to go. Very little for the sherpas to take up to be ready for
the summit. So everyone is ready. The team is healthy and strong. So we only
have a little bit to wait as the forecasts are starting to look like a solid
window starting around the 22nd and 23rd. We have no set plans at this point
as we have till 5 days before to commit on a date. Any plans farther out are
more just wishful thinking. So we'll stay here. Everyone here in camp is
looking at a small break in the high winds that have been hammering the
upper mountain starting around the 16th. It does look like a decrease coming
in the winds that may allow some smaller/faster teams to blast up in. We
feel its to small, colder, lower success and higher risk to try with our
team. Patience is important as there is a tremendous incentive to push after
being in camp for a long time. Many teams here arrived in some cases over 2
weeks before we did in Base Camp. That makes for a very long trip waiting.
Today is our first actual waiting day of the expedition. Theres been lots of
stories of destroyed tents up in Camp 2 and from over on the North side. So
things have been a bit on the wild side the last few days. Even here in Base
Camp we had a few gusts approaching 50 shaking things up. We took down our
C2 tents 2 days ago so everything in our Camp 2 is good to go. We have a
Mountain Hardware Stronghold Dome tent in C2 that has proven to be
incredibly strong.

So this is one of the tougher parts of the trip, waiting and watching as the
season gets close to the end. A lot of anxiety watching and waiting. It's a
fine needle to thread between the start of the Monsoon and the end of the
high winds of May. We are looking for the big fluffy pre-monsoon cumulus
clouds to start floating around Everest as the jet stream pulls back. Then
off we go! Stay tuned!

Scott Reporting from Everest Base Camp!

Everest 2010

2010-05-11T04:32:00.000+05:30

Hi All!

Up here at Camp 2, 21,500 ft. Life is good. Just wanted to stay in touch
with everyone. Our team this year is looking solid. Right now we are
spending some time here to acclimatize on our second rotation up high. I
have been posting reports and photos at
http://exploreyourplanet2009.blogspot.com/ and
http://mteverest2010.blogspot.com/ .

The schedule is going well, only one day behind last year. The weather has
been outstanding so far! Expecting some changes with that in the next week.
So in the next few days we will be ready for our third and hopefully summit
go. Yahoo!

Just wanted to say hi to everyone back home and hope all is well. I should
be back around June 6th, hopefully after my 5th summit with any luck!! And
with 5 months off this time, and it will be summer! Missing being home in
Hood River and everyone there!

Cheers,

Scott from Camp 2 on Everest!

R and R in Dingboche!

2010-05-09T15:58:00.001+05:30

Down to low altitude for some Rest and Recovery from being up high on
Everest for quite awhile. The team is good, everyone is doing super well and
being down to lower altitudes is just what the doc ordered. Photo of Doc
Peter Hackett, Bill and Scott having cinnamon rolls in Dingboche. We are
going backup to Base Camp over the next few days. Some of our sherpa team is
also down for a rest before the summit push. Everything is completely set
for the summit go rightnow. Over 70 bottles of Oxygen is now parked at high
Camp, Camp 3 is in and ready. So not much left to do but go for a hike up to
the top now! Stay tuned close as this is it and off we go!

Scott Woolums reporting from Dingboche, 14,000 ft.

Just down from Camp 3!

2010-05-04T17:20:00.001+05:30

Wahoo! A huge day today. Up to Camp 3 at 24,000 ft.. Everyone did super well
up the lower part of Lhotse Face and back. Leaving Camp 2 here at 5 am, we
moved over to the base of the Lhotse Face and then started up. Good
conditions allowed us easier climbing up to Camp 3. Most everyone setting
new personal altitude records today. Very warm and no wind made for an
enjoyable day, at least as enjoyable as climbing above 7000 meters can be!

We are all back safe in Camp 2 now, and will probably be up here for one
more night before heading down to Base Camp and on down lower for a much
deserved break from being up high for almost 2 weeks. So this is the end of
our second rotation before coming back up to summit. Now it becomes a
waiting game, watching the weather close and making sure all Oxygen and
supplies are in place. A tough job, but the sherpas are on it. Today
multiple loads went up to the South Col.

No hurry here as the fixed lines have not been put in above the South Col.
Also the weather has taken an unstable turn and continues to snow and blow
most afternoons. We are looking for consistent, low wind pre monsoon
patterns that normally bring warmer and more predictable weather to Everest!

Scott Woolums reporting from Camp 2 , Mt. Everest.

Off to Camp 3 Tomorrow!

2010-05-03T18:25:00.001+05:30

Everything is set for our first trip to Camp 3 at 24,000 ft. A big day
actually. We climbed to the base of the Lhotse Face today to around 22,500
ft.. Tomorrow its up the blue ice of Lhotse Face to C3. All reports say its
fixed well with both up and down ropes. Now if we can get some good weather
as it has been on and off snow and wind here in camp today. All our Sherpas
are carrying loads to the South Col also tomorrow at 26,000 ft. So we are up
early, sherpas are leaving at 1am, we are leaving at 5am. Standby for
tomorrows report!

Photo from base of Lhotse Face looking up at teams moving today in poor
weather.

Scott Woolums reporting from Camp 2, Everest!

Storm in Camp 2!

2010-05-02T15:05:00.000+05:30

Wahoo! Last night ws a bit rowdy with high winds and a lot of snow. No
sunshine this morning. FOrtunatly it was perfect timing as today is a rest
day for both us and the sherpas. Can here huge winds up towards the summit
right now. We have a very comfortable camp solife is ok, even with 30 knot
winds and snow.

Yesterday we came up from Base Camp directly to Camp 2. A tough hike, over
1000 meters vertical. Everyone was tired from that. Was incredibly hot
yesterday on the way up, quite a contrast to now.

Hope all is well at home with friends and family!

Cheers, Scott Woolums reporting from Camp 2, 21,500 ft., Mt. Everest!

Up to Camp 2!

2010-04-26T14:45:00.000+05:30

The whole team is here in Camp 2 now after a windy trip up through the
Western Cwm. Beautiful day, just a cold wind as we moved up to 21,500 ft.
Our Camp 2 is located just below the SW Face of Everest, just about the
highest camp in this area. Everyone rallied today and are all doing well. So
now we wait for a few days to acclimatize. Planning to be back at BC on the
28th. So far the weather has been outstanding, with more on the horizon.
High winds forecast for a few days, then some clouds, but overall everything
looks good. Attached some photos through the icefall and just below Camp 1.

Scott Woolums reporting from Camp 2 on Mt. Everest.

Into the Icefall!

2010-04-22T15:41:00.000+05:30

Just back today from our first foray into the Khumbu Icefall. Always an
interesting experience confronting ladders across large cravasses and steep
ice sections. The team did super well today moving up to the famous
"popcorn" section of the icefall. Huge multi-ton blocks of ice that can
resemble huge popcorn chunks! Our goal today was some more acclimatization
and experience moving quickly through the icefall. Everything went well, so
we are ready to move up to Camp 1 tomorrow morning early, then onto Camp 2
after a couple nights at C1. Everyone is feeling good, moving well and ready
to go! We are almost exactly on schedule. Today the sherpas moved 14 loads
up and were back in Base Camp around 10am, amazing. We will have a little
less ability for communications while in Camp 1 and should have ok comms
when we are in Camp 2. SO look for more reports in a couple days when we
move into Camp 2 for the first time this year! Still the route is not fixed
above Camp 2 so we are right on schedule for when that happens. Showers,
sunshine and great food by one of the best cooks in the Khumbu- Serki
Sherpa!

Yesterday we shared a very good "Puja" or blessing ceremony with our Sherpa
Team. A very powerful and necessary event before venturing onto Sagarmatha,
the Sherpa name for Mt. Everest. This is a fun event that takes about half a
day where several lama's bless the sherpas, us and our equipment before we
actually start our climb.

Scott Woolums reporting from Everest Base Camp

Base Camp!

2010-04-18T10:07:00.000+05:30

Hello from Base Camp! Everyone is comfortably tucked in here now. Very fun
trek up yesterday, and part of the team came in this morning. Perfect
weather, just a few afternoon clouds. Its been busy setting up our whole
solar power/lighting/communications system. And now, our first report out
from Base Camp! We'll be regularly updating things now. The trekking team is
here also tonight- Linda, Julia, Izabella, Robin and Jona. They will be here
a couple more nights before heading back down to the lowlands (and warmer
temps!). Jona plans to stay a little while longer to climb Lobouche on her
way out.

The climbing team is jazzed to be here and all feeling super good. We had a
meeting today with our Sherpa team, who will be a major part of our
expedition. This is the same Sherpa team that have been with me on many
expeditions now. Could not ask for a better team!

Hope all is good at home for everyone.

Scott Woolums reporting from Everest Base Camp!

On Our Way!

2010-04-10T13:50:00.000+05:30

In Namche Bazaar now. The whole team is here after a great hike today up to
Khumjung Village just above Namche. To catchup, we flew in on schedule, sort
of. Only a 6 hour wait in the airport on the 8th trying to fly in. That's
Nepal, hurry up and wait! So we have quite a team, actually 2 teams here
now. The climbing team- Cindy Abbott, Vivian Rigney, Ania Lichota, Paul and
Denise Fejtk, also Bill Allen and myself. And the trekking team- Linda
Unwin, Julia Bell, Izabela Spero, Jona Price and Robin McGregor. Completely
fun group! We are definitely having a blast on the first couple days of our
trek into Everest Base Camp. All our equipment and supplies are now in Base
Camp with our Sherpa team. Enjoying this afternoon in the Everest Bakery.
Internet, lattes and good friends! We will now be posting regular reports
along the way. Scott Woolums reporting from Namche, Nepal.

Off to Lukla!

2010-04-07T23:08:00.001+05:30

Tomorrow morning we are scheduled to fly into Lukla. Everyone is excited to
get out on the trek at this point after months of preparations and training.
Enjoyed a huge dinner out at the Roadhouse, a local favorite. Today we were
issued with our Everest expedition permit and an Liaison Officer. Always
interesting to meet the Minister of Tourisim for Nepal! So off we go! Scott
reporting from Kathmandu!

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Enjoying Kathmandu...

2010-04-04T12:40:00.000+05:30

Namaste from Kathmandu! Scott here, starting our live Everest reports. We
will be posting reports as often as possible so check back for the most up
to date news following our teams progress. Life is dusty, exotic and busy
right now. Adjusting to an 11 hour time change, sorting lots of gear and
bags, double checking electronics, packing barrels. It never stops here.
Lots of friends to catch up with and going over hundreds of details before
we go into Everest. Its all fun but quite busy. Thanks for following the:
Mountain Trip Everest 2010 Expedition Reports!

Scott reporting from Kathmandu, Nepal

2010-03-24T23:11:00.001+05:30

It certainly has been busy getting everything ready for our upcoming Everest expedition. Lots going on but everything is under control and on schedule. I am going over to Kathmandu March 30^th to prepare the last of the loads into Base Camp. Most of the team is arriving a few days later. Very much looking forward to another great season on Everest. So we will be posting reports regularly here throughout the expedition. So off we go….. Scott Woolums- Reporting from Hood River, Oregon

Bolivia 2010

2010-03-24T23:09:00.000+05:30

Some photos from our recent trip to Bolivia! Awesome country. Simply amazing what you can see and do in a short time there. Lots of rain in the wet season, but we managed to climb Huayana Potosi, 20000 ft. visit Lake Titticaca, do some rock climbing and visit the Amazon! Really great trip! Now next up…Mt Everest! Scott Woolums- Reporting from Hood River, Oregon…for a few more days!

Great Season in Antarctica!

2010-03-24T21:55:00.001+05:30

Good to be home now! So unpacking, washing and throwing things in bags for a quick trip to Bolivia next! Yep, off to explore the Cordillera Real. So a little time here for some skiing (awesome season in the NW!) then off to Bolivia on Feb 16^th. Scott Woolums- Reporting from Hood River, Oregon

Down from a quite sporty summit!

2010-01-19T08:41:00.000+05:30

Just back this afternoon from Vinson. Third summit this year, whew! A busy
season and quite a windy summit. So everything is wrapping up here with this
last climb. In the next few days we will be breaking down Vinson Base Camp
and flying out to Patriot Hills, then with all the guides here, over to the
new runway at the Union Glacier. Lots to do in the next couple weeks.
Scheduled to fly back to Chile on Jan 31st, with good weather! That will be
the last flight out from Antarctica! So -note to self- Do not miss that
flight! Have 11 more days on the ice working with some good friends. Should
be an adventure as there is a lot to explore over on the Union Gl. Wishing
everyone warm thoughts! Next up Bolivia Feb 16th...

Scott
From Vinson Base Camp!

From Vinson Base Camp!

2010-01-11T23:22:00.000+05:30

Enjoying some down time here in camp. Very nice actually as so far this
season has been solid work, ski, climb, kite! Last few days have been
putting in more and more tracks above Vinson Base Camp in excellent powder.
As much as we can actually. Today we'll probably ski over to Penguin Peak! A
small peak on the edge of the huge Nimitz Glacier. 3 guides are now up near
the summit of Mt Shinn today. I am managing Vinson Base Camp now so have to
stick around. It been some of the best and warmest weather I have seen in
Antarctica the last few days. Very nice. Tee shirts in the -6 degrees
celcius temps, hot sun and very little wind. The flights coming in have been
delayed now for 2 days and the forecast is still for winds at Patriot Hills
which is why things are delayed. No problems here as we have plenty to do
and/or not do! All the comforts of home more or less. A new shower for the
staff here, heaters, movies, email, skiing even have some fresh lettuce and
veges! Also some good Chilean Wine. Quite cozy all up!

I will be off to Vinson once more as soon as the next Illyshin-76 Cargo Jet
arrives with the next groups. Should be fun as I have 2 clients for this
next climb. After that we will be buttoning up camp here on the Branscomb
Glacier and being shuttled over to the new blue ice runway on the Union
Glacier. Lots to do there as all operations may be moved there at the end of
the season. We have to setup a comprehensive safety program for the staff,
check safe travel routes, and hopefully squeeze in a few climbs and ski
tours.

Photo from the ski hill behind Vinson Base that slid after a lot of new snow
a week before. Very unusual for Antarctica. Our best ski line came right
down the center of the face, fortunately the lower part has been determined
to be more stable!

Missing home!

Scott

Enjoying Antarctica!

2010-01-10T05:49:00.000+05:30

Wahoo! Back in Vinson Base Camp again after another summit. Very good trip
up and down in 4 days. So half way through the season now and looking
forward to the rest. I have one more trip up Vinson, then some time over at
the Union Glacier, the new blue ice runway that all operations are being
moved to at the end of the season. Quick update, the skiing has been
amazing! Just behind camp we have a 2400 ft. vertical peak that really does
have some of the lightest powder on earth! Just back from a run this
morning. Have been kiting about 10 days so far. It's a bit hit and miss with
the wind here at Vinson Base Camp. Working with some great staff here. I am
the only American actually. So have a few rest days to recover before the
next round.

Hope all is good back home. Miss being home! But then very much appreciate
Antarctica, remote and beautiful, like no other place in the world!

Scott
Vinson Base Camp

Merry Christmas from Vinson Summit!

2009-12-25T10:18:00.000+05:30

It's Christmas Eve here at Vinson Base Camp. Hopefully Santa Claus gets down
to the south pole too! Just back from a great trip up Vinson. Paul, Denise
and I summited Vinson on the 22nd of December. Good weather up to summit
day, then some cloud and cold wind, burr! Now its enjoying Base Camp life
until we have good weather for flying. Its been completely zero vizability
since getting into Base Camp. Hopefully tomorrow. Spent part of today
sledding near camp, good fun for Christmas Eve! Thinking of home and wishing
all a very happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas from Antarctica!

Scott

Yahoo in Antarctica Now!

2009-12-19T07:17:00.000+05:30

Were out at Vinson Base Camp now after a perfect series of connections from
Punta Arenas, Chile thru Ushia, Argentina then onto Patriot Hills Base Camp
and out to Vinson Base Camp here in the Ellsworth Mountains. Simply amazing.
So here we are getting packed and ready now to head for Camp 1 tomorrow
morning. This has been some of the best weather I have seen here in
Antarctica. Sunny, no wind, hot sun. This morning enjoyed several runs on
the local ski hill. 2500 vert, 6" of the lightest snow on earth! Lot of
people say that, but I can promise you it really was! The snow is covered in
piles of giant feathers and sparkles! We are skiing up this trip and I am
climbing with Paul and Denise who are very happy to be here. Managed a 6
hour hike up the Patriot Hills yesterday just before flying out to Vinson.
That was great a 5 mile alpine ridge with views of the Transantarctic range,
out towards the South Pole and over to the Hercules Inlet. So super busy,
lots of adventures and we have only been here about 50 hours! Will post
another report when we are back down here to Vinson Base Camp on about the
24th, for Christmas.

Happy Holidays and enjoying a White Christmas Season!

Scott

Vinson Base Camp

Down in Chile!

2009-12-15T18:15:00.002+05:30

Rainy and crazy busy getting the big jet loaded and all the gear ready to go. Just a note, I will not be checking comments on this for the next 7 weeks so. Everything is going well except getting stuck for a night on the way south. So now have evn less time to pull it all together. Will be updating this via email from Antarctica. Now we wait to see if the weather holds to fly south from here tomorrow!Scott

Just about Ready!

2009-12-12T01:02:00.004+05:30

Everything is comming together somehow for 7 weeks in Antarctica. A busy last few days. SUper cold here in Oregon, 10 degrees this morning. So packing in the garage this morning is good training! First up will be a Vinson trip with Paul and Denise, see their blog http://www.fejteksevensummits.blogspot.com/ . Then not sure of my exact schedule. Have 3 new kites and really looking forward to kiting at Patriot Hills and Vinson Base Camp. Lots of good friends will be down this season. Sunday morning will be off to Chile and Punta ARenas, then the flight into Patriot Hills is scheduled for Dec 16th, with a fair bit of luck! Stay tuned here and will update with news and hopefully photos. For any Everest questions, talk with Bill or Todd at Mt Trip. Off to the Ice!! Scott

Lots of Snow in the NW!

2009-11-27T04:23:00.002+05:30

Yahoo! Its been snowing and have been all over it! Backcountry and inbounds. Been good to get some time in before heading off to Antarctica. Will be flying down on Dec 13^th to Punta Arenas, then south from there on the first Illyshin to Patriot Hills. Not sure exactly of my schedule other than will be guiding Vinson straight away. I will keep this updated from the ice, so stay tuned and will try to send photos out. Good time to connect if you need to! I will be back around Feb 4th till the Everest season. Scott

In Moscow After a Great Elbrus Summit!

2009-07-26T10:36:00.005+05:30

Yahoo! Just back from the south of Russia and a great trip to Elbrus. Something like my 14th summit! Sonow we fly to Isntanbul and onto Krygistan to head for Peak Lenin. Will be back home around Aug 22. Scott

In Moscow, Russia Today!

2009-07-14T20:01:00.006+05:30

Waiting here to start our Elbrus Expedition. Yahoo! Hot and sunny! @ weeks here enjoying the Russian Alps, very beautiful place and of course a little hike up Elbrus 18,500ft. Will post some photos soon! Cheers! Scott

Photo from last year on Elbrus summit!

In Hood River and Ready for Russia!

2009-07-04T01:37:00.002+05:30

Have been enjoying being here in Hood River and now getting ready to go over to Russia and Elbrus. Will be continuing onto Peak Lenin in Kyrgystan after that. Hope everyone enjoyed the Everest Blog! Cheers, Scott

Back in Kathmandu!

2009-06-01T11:00:00.002+05:30

Its been a long hard journey, but we are here and enjoying Kathmandu. Will be leaving this morning to fly home, although not confirmed all the way. Went to an awards cerimony where they gave all Everest summiters medals! Yahoo! A very nice event. Have been taking care of details and accounts the last couple days after waiting 4 days for all our bags to finally show up in town. QUite bad weather after we left Base Camp and for the Lukla flights. We actually ended up taking a helicopter out as all fixed wing aircraft wre grounded for a few days. Will be adding some more photos when I can catch up with everything! See eveyone back home in a few days!

Scott Reporting from Kathmandu!

Yahoo! Back in Base Camp after the Summit!

2009-05-22T16:41:00.001+05:30

What a relief now we are safe in Base Camp, below the Lhotse Face, Below the
IceFall! Lots of great photos from the top and up high. Have a challenging
solar power situation so have limited power right now. Will post lots of
photos very soon. Just wanted to check in with everyone that's been
following the blog! Next trip will be to Russia in July, then Kygristan in
August! Not sure on our plans to trek out yet. Just want to relax and enjoy,
reaching the top of the world! What a day we had. Absolutely perfect weather
with views in all directions. Quite tired now and will enjoy our first night
in Base Camp! So that was my 4th summit now of Everest! Scott Woolums
reporting from Everest Base Camp.

Back in Camp 2

2009-05-21T23:29:00.001+05:30

Scott and the team have arrived in Camp 2 safely and are going to spend the night there before descending through the Ice Fall for the final time tomorrow. They are expecting to leave Camp 2 tomorrow at 4:45 am and arrive into BC sometime in the morning tomorrow. Everybody is doing well and feeling good.

Chris Klinke reporting for Scott Woolums

Back In Camp 4

2009-05-20T19:18:00.002+05:30

Scott, Brian, Johnny, and the Sherpa's are back in Camp 4. Scott called abot 19:34 Everest Time and said that the descent was smooth and easy. That it was an amazing day to reach the summit with very little crowding and warm weather. There plan is to rest at Camp 4 tonight and then descend to Camp 2 tomorrow, then move through the ice fall and be back in BC by the following day.

Chris Klinke reporting for Scott Woolums via Sat Phone

Summit!

2009-05-20T17:32:00.003+05:30

At approximately 8:00am Everest Time Brian, Johnny, and Scott stood at the top of the world!

They are on their way back to Camp 4 and should be arriving in the next few hours. I had to call Laurie this morning to get the details. Let's hope they have a speedy and safe descent to Camp 4. Scott also said that 5 out of the 7 Sherpa's summited with them, so it was indeed an amazing day. Calm weather, blue skies, and the amazing view makes the journey worth it.

Chris Klinke reporting from Laurie via Scott on Sat Phone.

2009-05-19T18:19:00.002+05:30

Scott called at 8:50 am EST, approx 6:35pm Everest time.

They arrived safely into Camp 4 (South Col) they are eating, hydrating, and resting before leaving for the summit in about 3 hours. The plan is to depart around 9pm (Everest Time) this evening to head to the top of the world. A few people summited today and are safely headed down the mountain or are resting in Camp 4. A large crowd in Camp 4 getting ready to go up tonight or tomorrow given that this is the best weather window they have had so far this year.

The team has a total of 7 Sherpa's and everyone is feeling good and strong. They have plenty of O2, and are resting quite comfortably. Please join me in wishing them a safe and speedy journey to the Summit.

Chris Klinke reporting for Scott Woolums via Sat Phone

2009-05-18T16:35:00.002+05:30

Scott called this morning at 7am to check in from Camp 3 at 24,000ft. It was a good climbing day and everybody moved well from Camp 2 to Camp 3. The entire team is feeling good and they have 3 Sherpa's climbing with them right now an additional 4 Sherpa's will climb up from Camp 2 tomorrow to meet them at Camp 4. They will have plenty of support for their summit bid. There is some wind up higher but everything is calm at Camp 3.

The team is targeting May 20th and the weather report is favorable for that day. Scott is planning on having the team go onto Oxygen as they move up to the South Col (Camp 4) tomorrow.

Chris Klinke reporting via Satellite phone for Scott

Moved up to Camp 2 Today!

2009-05-16T15:26:00.001+05:30

Moved up to Camp 2 at 21,000 ft. Hopefully our last trip up through the icefall. Great weather today. Quite windy up higher, but nice here. We are planning a recovery day tomorrow. Then the day after, move on up to Camp 3. Everything is still looking g0od for summiting around the 20th. Yahoo! Our whole sherpa team is here with us and they are all doing well also. So everything should happen quick from here, stay tuned!! Scott Woolums reporting from Camp 2, Mt. Everest!

Off to the Summit....Tomorrow!

2009-05-15T14:15:00.001+05:30

Yep, everything is looking good to have a go at the top. We plan to leave
Base Camp tomorrow morning very early and be at Camp 2 tomorrow night. We
are planning 2 nights there, then up to Camp 3, then Camp 4, then the summit
on or around May 20 or 21. Yahoo. Everyone is feeling good, the sherpas are
ready and everything is in place. The forecast is looking good. Already
there has been a number of teams leaving Base Camp for there summit pushes.
So we should have a trail going up! We will be posting text reports hen we
are going up to Camps 3 and 4 and hopefully from the Summit! Scott Woolums
reporting from Everest Base Camp!

Finally a Good Forecst!

2009-05-14T13:27:00.000+05:30

Lots of Buzzz in camp today as teams are getting ready for summit pushes.
Many groups will be going up tomorrow for summiting during the 18-19 window.
We are still holding to have a look at todays forecast and also to try and
stay away from the first big rush. There are quite a few people in Base Camp
waiting also. We took a short hike over towards Pumori Base Camp just to get
out of camp. Lots of hanging out as we wait... Everything should come
together in the next week. We should have a more defined plan this
afetrnoon. Scott Woolums reporting from Everest Base Camp.

Waiting in Base Camp.....

2009-05-12T17:16:00.000+05:30

Its been an awesome break down low recovering from our stays up higher. Now
were back, rested and ready to go! A lot of snow as we moved up yesterday.
Also a lot of stuff going on in camp. Arrived back in Base Camp yesterday
afternoon to a number of rescues and medical issues going on. You can read
about all that in other reports. Life here is always interesting. Slowly the
tents are melting out, each up on pedistals of ice after a month and a half.
Lots of small lakes forming as the glacier warms up. The icefall seems to
have quited down after the accident last week. Lots of buzzz in camp as
people are planning summit attempts. Looks like a small window on the 17-18
but also a bit later on the 21-22. We are probably going to hang out a bit
more to let this weather stabilize for now. We have some great forecasting
coming in every day so we are keeping a careful watch on conditions.
Everything is set to go, just need some weather now. It's a 5 day lag
between when we say go and launch our summit push and when we are actually
at High Camp and going. We will move to C2 for 2 nights, then C3, C4 and go
from there! Scott Woolums reporting from Everest Base Camp.

Enjoying DIngboche!

2009-05-08T18:22:00.000+05:30

Our whole team including sherpas are down here in Dingboche. Very nice to
breath and relax after a month of up and down trips on Everest. We left base
camp yesterday morning and at 10.30am local as we were across the Khumbu
Glacier from Base Camp, we all watched a huge release off the West Shoulder.
A very difficult thing to see after just being in the icefall a couple days
ago. Very clearly it completely swept the route on the lower third of the
icefall. A very scary thing to see and our hopes are that no one was injured
although we have found out since there was. Our team and all sherpas are all
ok.

We are watching the weather now with no plans at the moment until we see a
solid opportunity. I have never like early season summits as the windows are
short, cold and much lower percentages of summiting. Good luck to all who
have gone up though as there did seem to be a short window to summit this
weekend. Its windy here in Dingboche, but have a report from Camp 3 that its
calm there right now. Video from a small Stupa near our lodge today. Photos
of the team in Dingboche. Yahoo! This is the exciting part as the summit
gets closer. Scott Woolums reporting from DIngboche, 14,000 ft. Nepal.

Back in Base Camp!

2009-05-05T16:09:00.000+05:30

Yahoo, just back down from Camp 3 yesterday and now all the way to Base
Camp. A busy few days. Yesterday we enjoyed some very good weather to climb
up to Camp 3 at around 24,000 ft. No wind, clear and beautiful! Then back to
Camp 2 last night. This morning we got up early and descended through the
icefall again back to Base Camp here. Definitly some changes in the icefall.
Several ladders had been taken out by some large avalanches, but the icefall
doctors are quick in repairing the route, so no problems getting down to
Base Camp here. First showers in a week, sunshine and thick air, at least as
thick as it gets at 18,000 ft. SO now we plan to watch the weather
forecasts. Rest, eat, relax till a weather window shows up. We probably are
looking more towards the 16-18 now with the weather we have now. Stay tuned
as we get closer to the summit. It feels a long way off right now. Hope
everyone is enjoying a great spring where ever that may be! Scott Woolums
reporting from Everest Base Camp.

Slammed by High Winds and Snow!

2009-05-03T15:31:00.001+05:30

Epic day today here in Camp 2. Started out good, but very soon some serious weather came in. We left around 7am for Camp 3. Within an hour we had decided to turn around as lots of wind and a lowering cloud cieling threatened. By the time we arrived back at Camp 2 a full scale storm raged. The biggest concern now was our Sherpas up near the South Col. They started up with the last of our Oxygen at 1am this morning. We had good radio communications with all. A very serious day. We never push our Sherpas into decisions, have no tight schedules for them to follow, only try to maintain safety as a primary goal.They make their choices with weather and conditions to go on or not. I trust their judgement more than most eople I meet in the mountains. This was a very rapidly developing storm. Fortunatly in the face of some very strong winds, Namgyal and the rest of the Sherpas made a super good choice to catch the Oxygen they had near the top of the Geneva Spur, a prominent ridge 20-30 mins below the South Col camp at nearly 26,000 ft. A long day following their progress back to Camp 2 today on the radio. To make things worse, one of the sherpas, Temba, broke a crampon up high and had to descend with only one crampon down the whole Lhotse Face. This is a challenge with 2 crampons on a good day! Everyone is back safe with no problems now. Simply amazing effort by one of the strongest Sherpa Teams I have worked with. So hopefully tomorrow we will have a break for us to get up to Camp 3. We are planning to go back to Base Camp on the 5th. Scott Woolums reporting from Mt. Everest, Camp 2.

Up in Camp 2 again!

2009-05-01T15:03:00.001+05:30

Came up to Camp 2 yesterday in some very nice weather. Although it has been getting quite

cloudy in the afternoons. This is our second rotation up to Camp 2. We are planning 4 or 5

more nights here, with a climb up to Camp 3 at 24,000 ft. the day after tomorrow. Our

sherpas did an amazing carry from here up to the South Col today, carrying most of our

Oxygen up. SO everything is starting to be in place for our summit go in a couple weeks. A

lot of teams are pushing hard for an earlier summit this year. We plan to let them go and

wait a little for what is consistantly the best, warmest, longest periods of good weather

after the middle of May. Its been a good stay here running into lots of good friends.

Definitly starting to miss home, its been over a month now. Photos from the icefall yesterdy morning. Thanks for following our

reports! Scott Woolums reporting from Camp 2, Mt. Everest.

Enjoying Base Camp Life!

2009-04-29T10:52:00.000+05:30

Perfect weather again today. Getting everything ready to go back up to Camp
2 tomorrow morning early. We plan 4 nights up again, with one trip up to
Camp 3 at 24,000 ft. After this next rotation up high we should be ready for
the summit! Our sherpa team is setting our Cap 3 today, and tomorrow will
take most of our Oxygen up to Camp 4 at the south col. That's truly the hard
work. Forecast for some snow starting tomorrow afternoon for 3 days.
Hopefully that will not be to serious. Wind is far more of a concern. All
our team is looking strong. Johnny is very focused on what its going to
take. SO last day for showers and to wash some clothes here. Will try to
post a report from Camp 2, but its always a challenge powering computers and
all there. Scott Woolums reporting from Everest Base Camp.

Enjoying Base Camp Life!

2009-04-28T11:08:00.000+05:30

Yahoo! Were all down in Base Camp. So nice to be down in the thicker air
here at 18,000 ft. Photos from the icefall yesterday. Glad to have one more
trip through there behind us. The cook here at Base Camp, Serki, is
outstanding Fried Chicken and Pizza last night. So we are finished with our
first rotation up high, 2 more to go. Our weather forecasts are coming in
now and it looks good over the next few days with diminishing winds. That's
great news as our whole sherpa team launched to start the huge job of
getting our Oxygen up to Camp 4, our high camp at 26,000 ft. They are the
true stars that make most all Everest Expeditions really successful.
Outstanding team this year, I am hoping we can all summit together as a
team! So we have a few days here to relax, recover from being up high, eat
well, take showers, check weather and plan our go for the summit! Very
enjoyable here compared to Camp 2. Yesterday we saw at least 4 tents that
had blown off Camp 2 from the winds last night of other teams. Right now
most tents in Camp 2 are collapsed so they are not destroyed. We did loose
our large dinning tent the day before yesterday in the winds, completely
shredded. Fortunaty we have extras of most all things. It does look like the
worst of the winds are over now. So we are wishing for good weather for our
sherpas to get the higher camps ready. Scott Woolums reporting from Everest
Base Camp!

Big Wind Storm in Calmp 2!

2009-04-26T15:31:00.001+05:30

A rowdy night as we lost our dinning tent up here. Almost the whole camp 2 Was blown o0r

taken doown right now with most climbers descending to Base Camp this morning. Our large

Mountain hardware Space Station tent shredded as did 7 or 8 other teams larger tents. We

actually saw part of another teams dinning tent about 100 ft up blow past us. Serious winds

last night! We decided to stay on one more day as we can use the acclimitization. This

afternoon its changed to very nice weather with no wind and lots of sun. We plan to go down

to Base Camp tomorrow for a 3 or 4 day rest. Climbed up to about 22,000 ft. this morning and

the base of the fixed lines on Lhotse Face, our next big obsticle. Scott Woolums reporting

from Camp 2 Everest.

Up to Camp 2 at 21,000 ft.!

2009-04-26T15:27:00.001+05:30

Yesterday we moved up here to Camp 2. Beautiful weather. Brian and Johnny are doing super well, 3 hours yesterday. Since our last dispatch, we have been in Camp 1 for a couple nights at about 20,000 ft. acclimitizing. The climb up through the icefall did not disappoint us aswe had a small collapse several hundred meters away, very scary. The icefall goes very close to some laarge icecliffs on the west shoulder which in my opinion makes the route a little more dangerous than normal. The route into Camp 3 was fixed the day before yesterday and today they are working on fixing through the Yellow Band at about 7600 meters. We have our Camp 3 set and mosst oxygen here at Camp 2 so we are well ahead of schedule now. Lots of support with 6 sherpas and out small team of 3, Johnny and Brian Strange and myself. We plan to stay here for a couple morre nights then back to Base Camp for another rest. We have put together a schedule that allows minimum trips back and forth throught the icefall this season. Everyone is agreeing that it is warmer than normal, we'll see what happens. We are looking towards after the middle of May for our summit window now. It does look like a lot of people are pushing for earlier this season. I have never liked the colder and shorter summit windows of earlier May so we'll let the early teams have a go, then wait for a bit later this year. Life here is pretty good with a large Mt. Hardware dome tent, 2 cooks. Very comfortable as far as that can be at this altitude on the side of Everest! Thanks for staying updated. More soon as we just got our email/solar system working this morning. Will always publish updates when we can. Scott Woolums reporting from Camp 2 Mt. Everest.

Off to Camp 1 Tomorow Morning

2009-04-21T15:29:00.000+05:30

Were off very early tomorrow, probably around 3am, for C1 which will take us
through the icefall. Early this morning there was a collapse in the upper
section of the icefall that shut things down for awhile, turning a lot of
people around. The route is back in now. Beautiful weather again today. We
hiked up through the lower section of the icefall today for some exercise.
May not be able to post reports for till were back in BC in 5 days or so.
Depends on communications up at Camp 2. Posted by Scott Woolums, Everest
Base Camp.

Just back from a short trip into the Icefall!

2009-04-20T13:47:00.000+05:30

Having some spectacular weather here at Base Camp! Hot and Sunny, really!
Some wind last night, but ok now. Our Camp 2 is set now, with 6 more sherpa
loads going up today. We have volunteered one of our sherpas for fixing the
rope above C2 starting the 24th, some Oxygen also. SO hopefully the route
will be going in abaove C2 starting tomorrow! Spent some time today
exploreing the lower section of the icefall, perfect day for that. Probably
go for a short hike tomorrow, then up to C1 on the 22nd for 2 nights, then
onto C2 for 3 or so more. Very warm this season. We are trying to minimize
our trips thru the icefall. Good to be here, lots of teams on lots of
different schedules. Looking forward actually to getting up higher where its
cooler! Yesterday we all shared a very good Puja, or ceremony with the
sherpas to wish safe passage on Everest and thru the icefall. A special time
to share with the sherpas and base camp staff always. So stay tuned as we
make our way up into the Western Cwm! Scott Woolums reporting from Everest
Base Camp, Nepal.

In Base Camp!

2009-04-17T16:27:00.000+05:30

Yahoo! Made it into base camp this morning! Always a welcome retreat. Good
food and lots of friends! SO we plan several days here to acclimatize, then
start some training and ladder practice. Very nice weather! This afternoon
there was a very good team leader meeting. Discussion on fixing the upper
mountain. Feels so good to finally be here and the start of our climb.

Posted by Scott Woolums, Everest Base Camp, 17,700ft. Nepal.

Kala Patar Summit!

2009-04-15T16:27:00.000+05:30

Laurie and Robin summated Kala Patar today along with Brian. Were staying in
Gorak Shep tonight at over 16,400 ft. Tomorrow base camp. Also tomorrow we
have to say a sad goodbye to Laurie and Robin. They will start back down to
Lukla in the morning when we go up to camp. So we are close to actually
starting the adventure! Photos from the trek up to Lobouche yesterday!

Posted April 16, 2009 by Scott Woolums

Moved to Dingboche today at 14,400 ft.!

2009-04-12T15:03:00.005+05:30

Up in the small village of Dingboche tonight. The clouds have moved in and its a bit colder. Very beautiful hike today. We stopped in the village of Pangboche for a blessing from the Lama Geishi. So we are going to be here for 2 nights acclimitizing before moving higher. Scott Woolums reporting from Dingboche, Nepal.

In Namche Now!

2009-04-10T10:05:00.005+05:30

Were in Namche, the center of the Khumbu area and a very beautiful village high in the Himalaya. We arrived yesterday and will be staying another day to acclimitize. Snowed quite hard yesterday night, but today is clear and sunny. Very nice. Everyone is doing great. Laurie and Robin are along on the trek with us and Johnny and Brian are getting more excited as today is really our first view of Everest. Still a ways to go! Scott Woolums reporting from Namche, Nepal.

Good Luck with our Flights!

2009-04-08T10:11:00.001+05:30

Yahoo. everything went as scheduled today with our flights into Lukla. A beautiful, clear day here in the Himalayas. Photo of Johnny, Brian and Scott just above the small village of Ghat. Were on our way now!

Flying in Tomorrow Morning

2009-04-07T11:56:00.004+05:30

Wish for good weather as there have been a lot of delays getting into Lukla, the small airstrip we have to land at in the Khumbu region. Many groups have been delayed over 3 and 4 days. We are hopeing all goes well. Although the forecast is for some rain tomorrow. That will be the beginning of the adventure. Brian and Johnny are flying into Kathmandu in about an hour. Lots to do tonight to get ready to go still. From Kathmandu.

In Kathmandu

2009-04-05T11:01:00.003+05:30

In Kathmandu getting ready to head out to the mountain. Everything is packed and ready to go. Lots of weather delays fo lots of teams this spring on the flights to Lukla. We are planning to fly in on the 8th. Yahoo!

Off to Everest this Spring!

2009-03-15T11:48:00.001+05:30

Welcome to our Everest 2009 Expedition Reports!

Getting ready to go back to Nepal. Will be heading for the South side this spring with Brian and Johnny. Photo from 2006 on the top!
Scott Woolums