IMG Everest Expedition Dispatch #24 May 17, 2008

Ang Jangbu reports that Dave and Nicky are back down to BC now, after spending the night at C3 and then climbing a short way above. Also yesterday, 5 sherpas carried to South Col and now that camp is fully stocked and ready for the summit bids!! Eben and the trekkers had a nice visit to BC, including hiking up to the base of the Icefall yesterday, and today they are headed back down to Lukla, with several of them planning to climb Lobuche Peak on the way.

We have IMG Sherpas Danuru and Dawa heading tomorrow to C2 and to the South Col the next day as members of the joint expedition Sherpa fixing team doing the rope fixing to the Balcony and above. The plan is to get the rope fixed on the 20th, with the first summit bids on the 21st. This morning (18th Nepal time) Scott, Adam & Bob Lowry with their personal sherpas and Casey and his team (Bob and Ari) headed up for their summit bids.

They all went to C1 with the exception of Scott and Kami who went on to C2. They are scheduled to go for the summit on 21st or 22nd. IMG climbers Joe, Kurt, Chip, and Vance and their sherpas are planning to head up tomorrow, with Justin, Dean, Jaroslaw, Ryan, Rohan, Serge, Tim, Val, Monty and their sherpas heading up the next day. We'll let you know more as everyone's final timetables becomes clear. So far so good!

Eric Simonson