March 25, 2009
The entire IMG team has now reached Kathmandu and everyone is doing fine.
Last night we had a big team meeting and welcome dinner which was a great chance to finally meet everyone in person.
On March 23rd IMG guides Justin Merle and Mike Hamill spent 5 hours at the Ministry of Tourism and received our Everest permits. IMG was the first Everest expedition of 2009 to get permits and we will be the first to start towards Everest Base Camp. On the 24th the Singapore Women’s Team flew to Lukla and began their trek and this morning (the 25th) Mike Hamill and Paul and Louis are flying to Lukla. The rest of the team is working on gear prep and final packing in preparation for our early morning Lukla flight tomorrow, the morning of the 26th.
Ang Pasang called from Pangboche yesterday to report that the IMG sherpa team at Base Camp are doing great and that our camp prep and set up is coming along nicely. We’ll have a nice layout waiting for us when we get there. We are still the only team at EBC, but I am sure that will change soon. Ang Pasang said that the Icefall Doctors (who will work for the SPCA putting in the icefall route) are leaving Namche today for EBC and will be there in two days.
We’ll stay in touch…
Eric Simonson
Expedition Leader
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Full coverage, photos and more detailed information on this year’s expedition.