Monday, April 02, 2007
EverestSA2007 - Update 01
In 1922 George Leigh Mallory wrote the following "The first question which you will ask and which I must try to answer is this, 'What is the use of climbing Mount Everest?' and my answer must at once be, 'It is no use.' There is not the slightest prospect of any gain whatsoever. Oh, we may learn a little about the behaviour of the human body at high altitudes, and possibly medical men may turn our observation to some account for the purposes of aviation, but otherwise nothing will come of it. We shall not bring back a single bit of gold or silver, not a gem, nor any coal or iron. We shall not find a single foot of earth that can be planted with crops to raise food. It's no use. So, if you cannot understand that there is something in man which responds to the challenge of this mountain and goes out to meet it, that the struggle is the struggle of life itself upward and forever upward, then you won't see why we go. What we get from this adventure is just sheer joy. And joy is, after all, the end of life. We do not live to eat and make money. We eat and make money to be able to enjoy life. That is what life means and what life is for."
Two weeks ago Mike and John left for Nepal and finally Ronnie and Andy’s turn has come around. Before Mike flew to Kathmandu, he had this to say: “I guess the show is on the road for John and me. It’s been a hectic few days and will be some relief to get on the plane to Nepal.Thanks for all your inspiration and support during the lead-up and it’s been a privilege being associated with you. I think we’re going to make a really good team and look forward to hooking up in Kathmandu.
I know you guys will be very busy in the workplace over the next two weeks – but vasbyt and don’t stress too much – the mountains beckon!!!”
It has certainly been a hectic and stressful 2 weeks, but the mountains do beckon and we’re on our way.
The first radio crossing with Nic Marais and KFM took place this morning at 07:45 am.
These crossings will take place from now on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning at the same time.
Watch this space for updates!!
With warm regards from the South African team.
UPDATE 17H00: As fate would have it, we just received the following mail from cousin Mike, and my uncle John, which I add below:
From: "Mike Patterson"
Subject: everest 2007
Date: Mon, 02 Apr 2007 12:24:20 +0000
Hi all
John & I have just returned to Katmandoo after a great climb in the Langtang Valley which is just south of the Tibetan border. We managed to include 3 climbs ranging between 4700 & 5000 m and are now fully acclimatised to this altitude; we’re .both well and in good spirits.
Ronnie & Andy arriving tomorrow am - we have a hectic few days ahead of our departure for Tibet on 7/4. Looking forward to a few steaks at the Everest steak house in order to put on a few lost kilos.
best regards
Mike & John
Labels: 2007, everest, south africa
