Besides Kent Groninger from Colorado, a long-time friend and my personal carrier, there are nine other team members from each coast and in between. Jim Curtin from Georgia (and soon-to-be, Colorado) is the most well-known since he has been posting on his blog great descriptions and pictures. We have received so many well wishes and prayers that surely we’ll all make it to the top! Bravo, Jim! (To sense what it’s like to climb Mt. Everest, see Jim’s blog, his latest entry is on the petit boulangerie at Base Camp and NASA! www.mounteverest2008.com)
On that same coast, there is J. Armand Musey and John Soebbing, both from New York. Moving west, Gregory Konrath of Indiana, and R.C. Scull from South Dakota. Jeffrey Dossett and Charlie Hyde are both from Washington state. Heading southward, Mark Luscher from Oregon and Diannette Wells (another gal with lots of spunk) from California, and myself, of course, Leona from Ancona (Photo below: Colorado via Italy). That makes 10 official climbers and one stow-a-way.
None of us would be sitting at base camp right now zipping hot lemonade and eating apple pie if it weren’t for Alpine Ascents International out of Seattle, Washington. Kent chose Alpine Ascents for the second time to climb Mt. Everest, “They’re worth every penny!” (www.alpineascents.com) Jose Louis Peralvo is our il capo, and one of Alpine Ascents’ most well-loved guides. So, we’re in good hands… I just don’t want to get left behind since my stuff sack is the identical color and material of the tents!
More to come…
Tags: chickens, mountain climbing, Mt. Everest
