December 27, 2009
Mike Hamill called in last night from Karanga Valley camp at about 13,500’, about 9 pm Seattle time, which makes it morning of the 27th, their time. The crew is fine and heading for high camp. High camp is Barafu at just over 15,000’. They’ve had some afternoon rain but weather is dry now and hopes are high for a good summit morning. Their hike to Barafu is a short one, no more than 3 hours. The beauty of using the Karanga Valley camp is that the day hiking to high camp is a short one which allows the team to get to high camp early and without being tired. Then they’ve got lots of time to pack, eat, drink and rest for their summit attempt.
They’ll be up and out of their tents before midnight on the 27th, their time. Let’s hope the weather treats them well and we hear news of their success tomorrow. They’ve got a long summit day ahead of them.’
Phil Ershler