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4/2/2000
Arrived yesterday (Mon) in Katmandu. Saw Everest from the air. Can’t believe I will be
climbing as high as a plane flies—higher! The last leg on Himalayan Air Express was no
picnic—noisy, hot and cabin was so dry that Barlett and I arrived here with sore throats.
Surprised at how polluted it is. Holman met us—really friendly. Gave us lots of good advice
and told us what a great team we will be climbing with. When I remarked about the pollution,
Holman said that the air here has airborne particles of human waste mixed in with heavy metal
from exhaust that can cause respiratory illnesses. Along with bacteria in restaurants, Holman
said that one of the great challenges of the trip is leaving Kat healthy. Feeling great now! Can’t
wait for the climbing to begin. Nothing will stop me now. Holman is giving us access to email—you can send messages back to me at the above address. Now leaving on helicopter to
Namche Bazaar to acclimatize today and tomorrow. Thanks for making this possible. I love you
all. Bake sends love too.
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4/8/2000
It’s Monday here. Not only do we have Holman’s computer for e-mail, we also have limited
access to an Iridium satellite phone. Very expensive, but Bake and I will call you on Thursday at
11 p.m. your time for a brief call. Bakers will be coming over for the call since we have a
speakerphone.
Now for the report—the trek here was spectacular! I was awed by the beauty. Can feel the
thinner air—just like Denver. Saw yak and learned from Sherpa guide that all yak are not really
yak. Jan is teaching us so much. Laughed at all the brand new equipment, esp. our new books.
Richard, Jan reminds me of you—same quirky sense of humor, youthful exuberance, quite
intelligent. You would be come great pals with Jan. Saved me on the slick trails after I had
trouble w/ jumar and camprons. Taught me better technique of using ice ax. Interesting
characters on my “team”. Not exactly what Holman described, but Roge and I don’t seem to be
on the same wave length. Spends so much time w/ globetrotting billionaire climber Morgan
Chase-Mounthatten, a celebrity among climbers although I had never heard of ChaseMounthatten before. A very “needy” person—not my type, although Bake describes Morgan as
a world-class adventurer and loves all the stories and the luxury items that Morgan has toted
along—actually Morgan brought a personal Sherpa for hauling the contents of a suite at the RitzCarleton. Other expeditions have base camp doctors. EE does not; however, there is a client,
Dr. Ashley Morton, a Brit, that is on the trek, so that, along w/ Jan, makes me feel safer. Rest
Day at Base Camp. Tired. Send my best to the guys at the firm. Love you.
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4/15/2000
Anita, I was thinking of your spring dance recital yesterday. First time I’ll ever miss one. May I
request a private performance when I get back home? No doubt your brother will have it
videotaped for me. You ballet, I belay!
Did any of my mail arrive? Borrowing the digital camera from the firm was a good idea,
Richard. I have hundreds of photos, but no film to develop. We will work on downloading them
when I return.
Made it to Camp I and back with no problems. Tired and hungry. Can’t eat much. Definitely
will return thinner, Mer. Leave again tomorrow.
Bake has become quiet. We haven’t been talking much. By the time we get to our tent, we are
just so tired. Don’t talk to Holman much either. Keep telling myself that I should have more
confidence in Roge, after all, Holman is the expert here and I’ve paid EE big bucks to take me to
the top. Want my moneys’ worth. I’m no alone in my feelings about Holman. I talk more often
with Ash (the doc) and Jan who has excellent English since attending a British school in
Pherirche from age 6 to 16. Wants to go to college in States someday. Very ambitious. I told
Jan to hang out w/ M.C-M rather than me, but Jan knows a Sherpa’s job is to assist everybody.
Send my love to my folks and assure Mom that I will be just fine. You know how she worries
about my climbing. I’ve always been very careful. Hugs and kisses to all.
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4/22/2000
This it is Monday. Time means nothing here. Wasn’t Iridium satellite call great—just to hear
your voices for three minutes energized me. Know you thought I sounded weak, sick, but that is
normal here. Don’t worry. I’m not complaining. Wish this could be longer, but I am exhausted.
Mer, when I get home I’ll tell you the whole story—uncut.
Love.
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4/30/2000
Back in base camp after trek to Camps I, II & III this week. Whew! Though trial practice was
tough. High altitude and cold do cruel things to bodies and crazy things to minds. Don’t
worry—I’m o.k. Bake, too. Just occurred to me that I will summit on anniversary of college
graduation, but it is our wedding anniversary on the 22nd that I am thinking of right now—can’t
wait to be back in your arms, Mer. Be forewarned, I’m going to sleep there for five days
straight. Fatigue has new meaning.
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5/5/2000
Can’t remember if I emailed you yesterday, not even sure of what day it is. Summit on Friday is
all I can think of. Must focus. Ask everyone to be at the house for call on Sunday, the 12th.
Dana bring special bottle of champagne to celebrate. Don’t know what time Bake and I will
call—probably your early evening.
Invite office—tell them no sleep here, just like firm. So cold here, but “Death Zone” even
colder. Holding photo of all of you next to my heart. Only thing that warms me.
Love from the top of the world.