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Hello, Eric Simonson calling at about 8:40 in the morning from Advanced Base Camp with an update on the summit climb. Since I last called, the weather has taken a turn for the better, and the cloud cap has blown off, and the sun is shining.

We just talked to the climbers on the radio and they report that they are currently at the site of Camp VII, which is the site used by the Chinese and named by them. And Camp VII is above the First Step but just before starting the traverse to the Second Step. And they're taking a break right now. Conrad reports that the direct Ridge Route above Camp VII doesn't look very climbable, and looks to be unlikely to have been free climbed.

The climbers intend to follow the traditional route, traversing on the north side of the ridge, and they'll be in the shade for the next hour or two while they're negotiating the Second Step. And then after doing the traverse climbing up through the—ultimately the ladder pitch, which Conrad is going to try to free...We'll see. He says it's pretty cold, and because it's in the shade, it's going to be more difficult, but they're going to give it a shot.

So we hope to hear from them next when they get up above the Second Step, which'll be in another hour or two, and we'll give a dispatch at that time. So in summary, so far so good. Everybody's doing okay, and the team's at about 28 and a half thousand feet just before starting the traverse to the Second Step. And that's it for now. Goodbye.

—Eric Simonson, Expedition Leader

DISPATCHES