Expedition Diary #14
May 27, 2002

Foresthill, CA

It's great to be home at last. I was gone a total of 75-days and the weather here has turned hot - which feels real good to me just now. The 40-mile trek from Base Camp to Lukla took 2-days, and then I had to wait 1-day there due to high winds for a flight to Kathmandu. The extra day in Lukla turned out to be pretty neat - it was their annual Wonz Blessing where a reincarnated lama held a special event and all the villagers from nearby attended - it was quite a scene and very few westerners were there. After the flight to Kathmandu and 1-day there, I boarded a plane for home (Kathmandu to Bangkok to Osaka to LA to Sacramento). I did get one real last jolt from the climb.

Just as I left Kathmandu to return to the Untied States I started feeling very sick - like I had the Flu or something. After flying for 2-days I really felt sick - fever, chills, shortness of breath, unbelievable headache, and terrible chest pains. This was the sickest I have ever felt in my entire life. I tried to tough it out for one day after returning to Foresthill, but finally went to the doctor. It turns out I have Phenomena.

What's amazing is how fast the drugs they treat this with begin to take effect - today I fell pretty good overall and will return to work tomorrow.

Below is a summary of the injuries I sustained during the expedition and some of the statistics and facts from the climb.
Injuries sustained:

1. Frostbite - Both Thumbs & 5-fingers, 3rd degree.
   
2. Re-Frostbite 1-thumb & 2-fingers, minor.
   
3. Frost numb - Both feet, all toes. Will lose both big toe nails.
   
4. Minor snow blindness, blurred vision, lasted 24-hours.
   
5. Loss of taste - usually this returns after 30-days or so.
   
6. Absolute exhaustion, will take several weeks to recover.
   
7. Kumbu Cough from breathing very dry oxygen. Lasted till Kathmandu.
   
8. Phenomena - bacterial form infected lung and present in blood.

Details:

1. Summited Mount Everest (29,035') on Thursday May 16th @11:15 AM & spent 30-minutes on top. Left Camp IV 10:30 PM to summit and returned at 5:45 PM the next day (just over 19-hours total travel time) Note that Mt. Everest is called Sagarmatha in Nepal and Chomolungma in Tibet.
   
2. Climbing partner was Ang Tsering Sherpa, age 26, of Pangboche. This was his 3rd Everest summit.
   
3. Highest camp was the South Col @ 25,880'for 2-nights (2nd night with no supplemental Oxygen).
   
4. Spent a total of 37-days at 17,500' or above.
   
5. Hiked approximately 150-miles most of which was above 12,000'

Notes:

1. Lost 25 pounds during the expedition. Expect to gain it back over the next several months.
   
2. This was not a guided expedition, but rather a facilitated trip.  Himalayan Guides provided great support from Kathmandu to the summit and back to Kathmandu. This included flights, weather reports, porters, food, cooks, tents, Sherpa, oxygen and all associated gear. In addition, Henry Todd has had extensive Himalayan experience, which he drew on to provide the overall expedition guidance. This proved to be a very effective approach.

I am now able to receive e-mail responses, so if you wish to reply please feel free to do so. I will have digital images out to each of you within a few weeks. Looks like I'll be in the Foresthill Parade this year and will list all sponsors on the side of the vehicle. Once again, thank you very much for your support.

Best Regards, Randy