Updates From Everest Tumpach Next to the River Monday, September 8, 1997 (en route to Everest North Face advance base camp, Tibet) 8:30 pm local time. Well, we left BC at 9.30 am. The loading of the YAKS went very smoothly thanks to our experienced yak man. We loaded up all the supplies we have and need for 45 days up on EVEREST. It took 16 YAKS and 7 Yakman to load and escort them on the way to ABC, which is 22km away and UP. Today we covered a little more than half and we settled at the campsite. The campsite is called "KATUNG" elev. 19500’, which is the place where a glacier created a big hole and where, under the glacier is a river coming out in big turbulence. The campsite is located only few feet from the big gorge of the glacier and I wondered if the Yak men are not scared to loose the YAK by falling in. The YAKS are all tied down all around our tents with constant bell ringing. I do not think we will have a good night’s sleep. The YAKS reached the campsite at 1:30 pm. Me and one Sherpa got here at 4pm. We were late because we went to see the ENGLISH team at BC to discuses some strategies for climbing the dangerous NORTH COL. My lead Sherpa, JANGBU, informed me upon my arrival that we were lucky we did not lose one YAK on the way up. The YAK somehow slipped on the steep hill and fell with a full load. The yak man immediately jumped to the rescue by cutting the ropes to free the YAK from the load and, in doing so, the YAK stopped herself from going down the steep hill where she would end up in the STRONG current in the river from RONGBUK glacier. Good for the YAK by stopping herself; she saved me $300 US. If any Expedition loses the YAK, they have to pay for a new one. — George Tumpach PREVIOUS UPDATE | UPDATES HOME | NEXT UPDATE