원정 개요

Really good spirit at BC, lots of cooperation and determined to profit by last years disaster. 21st was windy and summitters had tough time but 23rd lovely day. 21 May summitters left Col 11:15 pm on 20th and were on summit at 1:00 pm on 21st.

Next summit team left Col at 11:00 pm on 22nd and were on top at 9:30 am (Warham), 10:00 (Lhakpa Gelu), 10:15 (Blakeley) 11:00 Da Tenzi (who waited for Rodriguez) and 2:00 pm (Rodriguez). Rodriguez collapsed near South Summit and Da Tenzi unable to get him down because Rodriguez unable to move, so Da Tenzi went down to Col alone. Rodriguez eventually got up and began halting descent to 8500m, where stopped when head lamp not working; stayed in unprepared biv till daylight, then resumed descent; was seen by Sherpas at Col who went up to help him and he managed to get down the mountain on his own feet with their help, oxygen at 4 litres/min all the way to BC and help from OTT members, and from Jamie Clarke of Canadian teams down Lhotse Face. Rodriguez helicoptered from BC on 26 May with frostbitten toes, fingers and nose but all expected to heal.

For Babu Chiri this was his 7th ascent, Dawa's 2nd, Lhakpa Gelu 4th.