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Hello, this is Eric Simonson calling on Friday evening the 16th from Advanced Base Camp, 21,400 feet, at Mt. Everest. I'm up here with all of the climbing team, and things are going really well! Everybody managed to eat about three cans of...(laughter)...we're having a problem here...three cans of Easy Cheese this afternoon in the tent, and we're all paying the price for it now.

It's been really windy, but nonetheless, we've been able to make great progress. Yesterday, our Sherpas went up to the North Col and today, pushed the fixed ropes all the way up to 25,000 feet. Tomorrow, we're going to have a team composed of Conrad and Jake and Thom heading up to the Col. And then, the next day, Tap and Dave probably, moving up as well to...[satellite signal failed].

—Eric Simonson, Expedition Leader

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