Entries By j.j. justman

Mt. Everest: Mark Tucker and the Climbing Team Summit Kalapathar

April 15, 2014

Posted by: Mark Tucker, Dave Hahn, JJ Justman, Billy Nugent

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest

Elevation: 17,575'

Summit... of Kalapathar! The team took on Kalapathar, and had a great payday of views galore. Nice weather for most of the day. The Sherpa team also benefited from weather as they are nearly done with all the makings of Camp 2. One comment from a Sherpa that it was very hot in the Khumbu Icefall. Seems ironic. The climbing team is gearing up for a possible early morning test run in the Icefall. We'll keep you posted. RMI Guide Mark Tucker

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Is everything ok? Our news said there was an avalanche on Everest. Please let us know if it didn’t
affect you.

Posted by: Jean Kumler on 4/17/2014 at 9:11 pm

Hi Kara
I’m back home. Had a really nice time in LA. Was 85 there—-came home to 35 in Cleve. Your trip is looking amazing and beautiful and cold and challenging.
So glad it’s going well. Keep up the good work everyone
What an awesome experience.

Posted by: Jean Kumler on 4/17/2014 at 6:33 am

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Mt. Everest: Rest Day for the Team at Everest Base Camp

April 14, 2014

Posted by: Dave Hahn, JJ Justman, Billy Nugent, Mark Tucker

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest

Elevation: 17,575'

Today was a well-timed rest day. Following our recent daily pattern, it was sunny and calm in the morning and snowing and socked in by noon. The team took the chance to wash up and get clean during the sunny hours, and then hunkered down within the tents for the afternoon. The much talked about Everest Basecamp WiFi hotspots and 3G cell coverage have both been dysfunctional in the extreme of late, bringing the teams back virtually to the 1990's in terms of connectivity... roughing it. Yesterday was a very popular day for Puja ceremonies and so the drab moraine rubble we call home was transformed by a vast spiderweb of interconnected colorful prayer flags streaming from the numerous chortens. Tomorrow, our Sherpa team is geared up for a carry to Camp II while the climbers have a conditioning hike to Kalapathar in mind. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn

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Luv You! Take care we are with you everyday and are so proud of you. Go for it Nicole and team!!!

Posted by: Mimi on 4/15/2014 at 5:53 pm

Nicole Lobiondo: Sounds like a great day of rest. I am sure you are seeing many amazing things and views. Big hug!!! Nicole

Posted by: Nicole Howard on 4/15/2014 at 6:36 am

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Mt. Everest: Team Continues Training

April 13, 2014

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Billy Nugent, JJ Justman, Mark Tucker

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest

Elevation: 17,575'

Today the team went uphill in a few big ways. The Sherpa team carried loads all the way to Camp II (ABC) at 21,300 ft before returning to base while the climbing guides and climbers geared up and traveled to the first ladders in the icefall route. It takes about 90 minutes or so to reach those lowest ladders, but we figure it was pretty good practice. The "trail" involves a lot of crampon work up and down endless ice ridges before the actual fixed ropes begin. The fixed lines take a little getting used to when it comes to passing intermediate anchors in steep and awkward spots. Then we started encountering the much anticipated ladders, the first few this season being short and simple. But we continued on until we hit a slightly longer set of ladder sections tied together and bridging a pretty deep and dark crevasse. The team took turns tip-toeing across the rungs and from time to time just standing back to watch Sherpa climbers dance effortlessly across in their descent from a hard day of work. Descent from that big and worthy crevasse a little over 18,000 ft was pretty good training all in itself. The team moved better and better as climbers got accustomed to the routines of "arm-rappels" and clipping past snow and ice anchors. We reached the crampons-off point just as the daily afternoon snowstorm began, but that meant we were only ten minutes from camp. Once back in our home away from home it was an easy afternoon of lunch, games, naps and good conversation. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn

RMI Guide and Base Camp Manager Mark Tucker checks in with an update on the Mt. Everest Expedition.

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Sending nothing but good vibes your way Spenny boy!

Posted by: Danny on 4/15/2014 at 12:37 pm

Nicole Lobiondo: Tracking you every day and thrilled to hear the team and you are going great. Stay warm and enjoy every minute. Love, Nicole H

Posted by: Nicole Howard on 4/14/2014 at 6:36 am

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Mt. Everest: Sherpa & Guide Teams Check Out Camp 1 as Climbing Team Acclimatizes on Pumori

April 12, 2014

Posted by: Dave Hahn, JJ Justman, Billy Nugent

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest

Elevation: 17,575'

Hey, this is Dave Hahn calling from Mount Everest. We're still doing voice dispatches. We don't have internet connectivity yet. There is hope that we'll have it in the next couple of days if they fix the cell tower down valley. Things are going well up here. Our Sherpa team and our guide team went through the Icefall yesterday. Some of the first to go through the Khumbu Icefall for this season. We went to Camp 1 and came back down yesterday morning. All was well. Today the climbing team, went to Pumori Camp 1. Pumori is one of the beautiful mountains around base camp. Of course we didn't go for the summit of that; it would be pretty technical. But going up to Camp 1 was good exercise and got us up to some altitude. It wasn't the best day for being out in the hills. It was kind of snowy and gray but we made a good outing out of it. And then had an easy afternoon back here at base camp, so everything's going well. The base camp is filling up. Lots of teams coming in now. So it's getting a little bit more like regular Everest season by now. All for today. We'll keep in touch. RMI Guide Dave Hahn

Dave Hahn calls in after first time this season through the Khumbu Icefall.

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Nicole Lobiondo: Looks amazing and great job with Camp 1!!!! Go Nikita. Love you. Nic

Posted by: Nicole Howard on 4/14/2014 at 6:33 am

How exciting Nicole! Please return safely. Love Auntie Woo

Posted by: Cheryl Moothart on 4/13/2014 at 4:39 pm

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Mt. Everest: Mark Tucker Checking in after the Puja Ceremony

April 10, 2014

Posted by: Mark Tucker, Dave Hahn, JJ Justman, Billy Nugent

Categories: Expedition Dispatches

Elevation: 17,575'

Hello! Mark Tucker checking in from Everest Base Camp. We had a wonderful ceremony today. The puja altar was just as beautiful as it gets. A wonderful day. Just a real, pretty ceremony. Everybody in attendance and we all had a good time. So we packed up a lot a loads. We have our whole Sherpa staff heading up the hill to carry all the necessary provisions to get a great Camp 1 established. And our three super guides, Dave, Billy and JJ, are going to go get their feet wet and check on the route and check on the camp and get things looking up-to-snuff for the rest of the western team. We will do some maintenance down here- a little bit of hiking, maybe a shower day. We have plenty to do to prep ourselves for the near future. We are going to be up real early and get these boys off to work on their commute to Camp 1 tomorrow. So all is well and like I said, we had a really nice day. We'll check in tomorrow. RMI Guide Mark Tucker

RMI Guide Mark Tucker calls in after the puja ceremony.

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You guys got Four Loko’s in Basecamp?

ROADHOUSE

Posted by: Horatio C.B. on 4/11/2014 at 1:45 pm

Best of luck and prayers for the safety of all. Be careful and have fun!! And don’t bet Tuck in cards!!

Posted by: Bill McGahan on 4/11/2014 at 10:42 am

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Mt. Everest: Dave Hahn and Team Enjoy Jungle Gym Training

April 8, 2014

Posted by: Dave Hahn, JJ Justman, Billy Nugent

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest

Elevation: 17,575'

This is Dave Hahn, calling from Mt. Everest. A great day for us today, our Sherpa team set up what we call a Jungle Gym, out in the glacier not far from Base Camp, a network of ladders and fixed ropes for us to practice on. We made good use of that, we went out this morning for a session for a couple hours and then this afternoon as well. It was a pretty nice day here at Base Camp. We are excited because Mark Tucker made his return, our Base Camp Manager is home. Everybody is doing really well we still basically have Base Camp to ourselves. Most of the teams will be rolling in in the next few days, next week but today it was still pretty quiet and we were enjoying it. All is good here and we will let you know what goes on tomorrow. RMI Guide Dave Hahn

RMI Guide Dave Hahn checks in from Everest Base Camp.

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Spencer Uncle Larry and Aunt Dianne wishing you and your climb team all the luck in the world we follow you each day on the blog get home safe.

Posted by: Larry on 4/9/2014 at 10:46 am

Spencer!!

Hope you are destroying that little hill you call everest! Big Dan misses you. Good vibes are sent to you from all your family and friends back home. I know we all miss you! LA has been a tad bit quiet w/out you causing ruckus. I cannot believe I have 2 more months of growing this disgusting beard. You owe me!! My family says hi and they love/miss you and to come back home safe. Every step counts!!

Love little dan

Posted by: Danny on 4/9/2014 at 9:21 am

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Mt. Everest: Hahn & Team Practice Glacier Travel on the Khumbu Glacier

April 7, 2014

Posted by: Dave Hahn, JJ Justman, Billy Nugent

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest

Elevation: 17,575'

This is Dave Hahn calling from Mount Everest. We had a great day today. The team rigged up for glacier travel and we went out in the Khumbu Glacier close to base camp with our crampons and ice axes. We went exploring up and down pinnacles and ridges of ice and just had a good hike in the glacier for a couple hours today. A nice day in the morning. And then in the afternoon and evening, it got a little more cloudy and started to snow a little bit in the evening. Everybody is doing really well. Tomorrow we are hoping to go and work out on some ladders and some fixed ropes in the Icefall on the lower glacier. So a practice day tomorrow. All is well. All for now. RMI Guide Dave Hahn

RMI Guide Dave Hahn calls in from Everest Base Camp.

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Spencer,

I miss you brother. I hope all is going well and you are safe and healthy. My beard is still growing strong and thick. Hurry back so I can shave it already! Have a great trip and every step counts! Can’t wait to see you and hear all about it.

Posted by: Danny on 4/9/2014 at 8:51 am

Nicole!!!! I miss you so much BUT I am so happy you are living out your dream and doing so well w the team!! Wednesdays are not the same without you! Xoxo thinking of you gf!!! Keep up the good work!!

Nicole

Posted by: Nicole on 4/8/2014 at 6:08 pm

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Mt. Everest: Hahn & Team Have a Good First Night at Base Camp

April 6, 2014

Posted by: Dave Hahn, JJ Justman, Billy Nugent

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest

Elevation: 17,575'

Dave Hahn calling in from Mount Everest. All is well. We had a pretty nice weather day here. Not terribly cold and pretty clear for most of the day. The whole group is doing fine. Everybody is healthy, everybody had a good first night at 17 and a half thousand feet, and to help with that acclimatization today, was just an easy day. Catching up, resting, drinking water and taking it easy. Neat to be up here at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall, with giant mountains towering all around us. So far we have pretty much got base camp to ourselves. There's not a whole lot of other groups yet. They will be coming in in the next few days or in the next week or so. Things are good here, and we'll let you know what's going on tomorrow. Bye now. RMI Guide Dave Hahn

RMI Guide Dave Hahn calls in from Day 1 at Everest Base Camp.

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the power of reptar (n royal pug june) compells u…

Posted by: Eric Pipkin on 4/7/2014 at 12:09 pm

Hi Kara!
Thinking about you every day. Started working on the story and will send you a link soon. Be safe and have an awesome time! Can’t wait to hear all about it! You are such a ROCK STAR!! Love, Mo

Posted by: Monica on 4/7/2014 at 10:05 am

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Mt. Everest: Hahn & Team Arrive in Base Camp

April 5, 2014

Posted by: Dave Hahn, JJ Justman, Billy Nugent

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest

Elevation: 17,575'

Hey, RMI this is Dave Hahn with the Everest climb. We got to base camp today. The trek is over, the climb begins. We left Lobuche at about 8:30 this morning and reached Everest Base Camp at 17,500 feet by noon. Our base camp team, along with Jeff Martin, has done an incredible job building camp. It was great to catch up with Jeff Martin from RMI. He has been up here working away getting our camp organized before our arrival. A little bit of a reunion today. All is well at Everest Base Camp. RMI Guide Dave Hahn

RMI Guide Dave Hahn calls in after arriving at Everest Base Camp.

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Nicole
You are our hero!
Patti and Ted

Posted by: Ted on 4/7/2014 at 7:10 am

Nicole Lobo!! Congrats on the arrival to Base Camp. Hope you are able to celebrate and rest. Stay safe and happy. Nikita

Posted by: Nicole Howard on 4/7/2014 at 6:20 am

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Mt. Everest: Hahn & Team Enjoy a Rest Day in Lobuche

April 4, 2014

Posted by: Dave Hahn, JJ Justman, Billy Nugent

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Everest

Elevation: 16,175'

Hey, this is Dave Hahn from Lobuche with RMI Everest Climb. Not much in the way of internet here in Lobuche, so I am giving you a call to tell you that everything is good. We have a rest stay here in Lobuche today. Went for a light hike, and everybody's feeling good. So after tonight, which will be our second night in Lobuche, our intention is to move up to base camp tomorrow. All the way to 17,500 feet. Tonight we're still at 16,000 feet. A beautiful evening here in the Himalaya... (transmission lost) RMI Guide Dave Hahn

RMI Guide Dave Hahn calls from Loboche rest day.

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Hi James and team-

Hope everyone is feeling well and feeling strong. Thinking about you lots and lots and sending extra sunshine and angels to escort you !

Posted by: LT on 4/5/2014 at 4:43 pm

Looks like your making great progress. Keep the Blogs coming!!

Posted by: Jerry Hildebrand on 4/5/2014 at 12:20 pm

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Entries By j.j. justman

Mt. Everest: Mark Tucker and the Climbing Team Summit Kalapathar

On The Map

Mt. Everest: Rest Day for the Team at Everest Base Camp

Mt. Everest: Team Continues Training

On The Map

Mt. Everest: Sherpa & Guide Teams Check Out Camp 1 as Climbing Team Acclimatizes on Pumori

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Mt. Everest: Mark Tucker Checking in after the Puja Ceremony

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Mt. Everest: Dave Hahn and Team Enjoy Jungle Gym Training

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Mt. Everest: Hahn & Team Practice Glacier Travel on the Khumbu Glacier

Mt. Everest: Hahn & Team Have a Good First Night at Base Camp

Mt. Everest: Hahn & Team Arrive in Base Camp

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Mt. Everest: Hahn & Team Enjoy a Rest Day in Lobuche

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