Wendy Climbs to Everest Camp 1

I was hoping to talk to Wendy Booker this week by satellite phone as she worked her way up Mount Everest’s South Col Route, attempting to become the first person with multiple sclerosis (MS) to climb the Seven Summits, but her computer is down and satellite phone service is spotty.

Last night, however, she and Mountain Link guide Brooke Barnes spent the night at 19,000-foot Camp 1 after navigating through the Khumbu Ice Fall, one of the most dangerous parts of the entire climb. Today they’re working up to Camp 2. The team is ahead of schedule right now but both climbers are coughing and dragging from the altitude. They’re planning on climbing to Camp 3 when it’s ready and then see how they feel.

It’s looking like a good early season on Everest with generally fine sunny weather so far. It’s expected that the first summit bids by other expeditions will be by May 6 if conditions hold. Wendy doesn’t plan on being among the first to summit this year but plans to continue upward at a snail’s pace and getting properly acclimated. She reports feeling strong and not having adverse altitude symptoms, which is good news.

I’ll report on anything that I hear on her blog or from her press agent and I’ll talk to her after she gets off the mountain.

Photograph top: Wendy Booker at a Puja Blessing ceremony before climbing Mt. Everest. Photograph bottom: A Sherpa and prayer flags at the Puja Blessing ceremony. Photographs courtesy Wendy Booker