14.05.2005: Thomas at camp 3 for the second time

Thomas has given himself a strong program: The day before yesterday: base camp - camp 2; yesterday: camp 2 - camp 3 and back to camp 2; today: camp 2 - camp 3 and further to the yellow band (7500 m altitude) and back to camp 2. Tomorrow, he will return to the base camp. When I radio-contacted him at 4 p.m., he was just below the yellow band and felt very well. The weather was ok despite the strong wind. Thomas also could record the first sequences from the Lhotse face and camp 3 with his video camera. The climb is not the only job for Thomas, he has to work as a camera man as well.


Thomas Türpe at his work at an altitude of 6189 m, on the summit of the Island Peak.

Down at the base camp, all debate on weather. There are several different forecasts circulating among the various expeditions, there are speculations and hopes. Clouds, wind and snow in the afternoon, this is the reality of today and probably for the next days because the atmospheric pressure remains constant. All of us hope for the days around the 20th of May. This is what Lakpa is telling me every day without any explanation. But I know the reason: the Lama has told him this long before we arrived at the Everest.


Our tents at the base camp and the typical clouds of the last days.