What kind of food do you have?
Team: We are well stocked with western foods, but what we eat varies with altitude. At base camp we run two kitchens, one for the sherpas, and the other for the climbers. Breakfast includes cereals, scrambled eggs, toast and jam, etc. Similarly, lunch and dinner include things you would eat at home. Freeze-dried cuisine is definitely out. At Camps I, III, and IV we only stock a few items since we only spend one night at a time there. Camp II is a smaller version of Base Camp. Our diet is still western, but limited to those foods which can be cooked at 21,000', such as oatmeal, pastas, sauces, and canned puddings.

Is it getting hard to breathe yet?
Team: It starts to get hard to breathe, and requires extra time to adjust to the altitude above 11,000'. We spent 5 rest days on our trek to base camp sitting still and allowing our bodies to produce the extra blood cells needed to survive up high. Here at base camp (17,500') there is only half as much available oxygen as you have at sea level, so we are naturally moving more slowly. At the summit, there is only one third the available air, so imagine how hard it is to survive!

Has anyone thought of turning back?
Team: No, No, No!

Why do you want to climb the mountain?
Team: One of the reasons we are climbing Everest this year is to do scientific research to measure the exact height of the mountain. However, every individual has their own personal reasons for wanting to do so as well. Most of us think in terms of physical and mental challenges: Everest is the highest mountain in the world, and just to stand on its summit for a brief period can be the achievement of a lifetime.

How cold is it?
Team: Temperature varies a lot from day to night. On a sunny day in the snow, it can be over 80 degrees! But at night, at our highest camp, it can be as low as -30! Typical summit temperatures are -20 during the middle of the day.

How many layers of clothes do you need to wear?
Team: On the summit, we usually wear four layers, the outermost being a HUGE one-piece down suit. We wear big, insulated, plastic boots and thick socks to keep our feet warm.

Ms. Scicluna's Class
jillsc@community.net

Hi --

Curious what the climbers are using for weather information? Do they have reports from India? Any outside online support via satellite phone?

Thanks.... looking forward to following the climb.

Joe Witte
HOWARDJOE@msn.com

Team: We will be receiving weather forecasts from England starting May 1. There is a weather man associated with BBC who does expedition weather forecasts. He was used last year after the accident. He gave quite accurate forecasts.

Hello --

Please don't take this question in a bad light, but why climb a mountain that has already been climbed so many times before? Surely the thrill of saying you were where thousands have climbed cannot be that great. However I do realize that it would be a great personal challenge, but there must be some other reason besides that?

Best of luck in your climb...
Chuck
claing@achilles.net

ed.: your question isn't far from the often asked, why climb? All we know is that the reasons are varied and personal and come from an elusive corner of human nature. Mountains compel people, and the symbolism of Everest is especially inviting. In our Everest coverage, we hope to tell a climbing story rich in details that let you glimpse what it's all about and draw your own conclusions.

Hi. My name is Ronnie. I live in North Dakota. It is cold here also. Do you have to carry a little air tank when you climb the highest mountain in the world?

Ronnie
slanger@sendit.nodak.edu

Team: Above 24,00 ft., the air pressure is so low that most climbers carry large tanks (760 liters) of compressed oxygen. Without this extra oxygen, the body cannot survive for very long, so proper supplies can be a matter of life and death, especially above 26,000', where we have our highest camp.

P.S. Did anybody take a snowboard on the expedition so they can ride down on a glacier or a hill?

ed.: uh, no.

I'm interested in your climb and wish your team luck. I followed last years' tragedy and was deeply moved. What lessons will you take from the tragedy and what will be weighing heaviest in your minds?

Brian Haddix
haddix@woodlan.net

...I'm interested to know if there's any inter-expedition coordination happening as to when and how many people will make summit attempts. One of the things that seemed to come out of the Rob Hall disaster was that there were a large number of people from different teams making an attempt on the same day, causing congestion and communication problems on the route.

Thanks,
Dave Green
Wellington, New Zealand
dave@bcl.co.nz

Team: Everyone here is very conscious of last year's problem concerning too many climbers attempting the summit on a particular day. All the expeditions have not discussed this in a group meeting, but it seems almost every expedition is on a different schedule at this time. The big question is what will happen if there is a prolonged bad weather spell and all the expeditions will attempt the summit on the first climbable day. These are things that we will have to deal with when they arise. It is very interesting and sometimes very difficult to work together with so many different nationalities. Views can often be quite different. We will keep you updated concerning this interesting question.

ed.: as of May 7, the problem considered above, of bad weather forcing all teams to delay summit attempts until a weather break allows them all to move up at once, has in fact happened. Click here to follow Dispatches from the team to see how the climbers fare.

On the mt everest expedition, what is the average weight of the packs that the climbers carry to Base Camp? to camp1? to camp 2?etc. what about the sherpas, how much are they carrying?

thx
mike.redmond@mptp.cpii.com

Team: On the way to Base Camp, the climbers may carry as much or as little as they wish, as Yaks and sherpa porters are available to carry our supplies. We carried loads ranging from 15 to 75 lbs on the 11 day trek. Above Base Camp, the sherpas carry most of the weight, and their loads are regulated by destination. From base to Camp II (21,500'), they carry 15kg (33 lbs), to Camp IV, 12 kg (26 lbs), and to the summit, 10 kg (22 lbs). Climbers will generally carry no more than 11kg (25 lbs) above Base Camp, with the average being 7kg (15 lbs) or less.

I have been reading the 1997 Everest dispatches, and I have also done quite a bit of reading about the history of climbing Everest. From what I have read, there seems to be a lot of high altitude sickness, cold sleepless nights due to lack of oxygen, and bad weather which delays the progress on the mountain. In reading this year's dispatches, there doesn't appear to be any of these problems. Are the problems just not being reported (dwelt on) or is this an unusual year and exceptional group of climbers?

Lisa Merrill
Pismo Beach, CA

Team: The year is neither unusual nor this group exceptional. You are witnessing the First Law of Climbing in action: NO WHINING!

Why bodies of deceased climbers can not be brought down back from the Everest? Is it taboo or bad luck? What's the reason?... Too much effort required?

F Bonilla
frabon1@ibm.net

ed.: it is all most people can do to keep themselves in control on the terrain of upper Everest. There is no safe way to carry people (or bodies) down from those heights, so the accepted custom is to leave bodies or attempt to bury them in a crevasse. On Everest, there is no Search and Rescue.

I have spent time in the High Arctic in Canada and had trouble keeping batteries in my camera and occasionally had trouble keeping film from freezing. How are they doing it please?

Once again keep up the fine work and thanks.

Darryl Terris Abbotsford
B.C. Canada
dterris@rapidnet.net

ed.: to keep batteries, water bottles, and anything else from freezing in the extreme temperatures of Everest, the climbers keep them in their jackets (close to their body) taking them out only when ready to be used. At night, all essential stuff goes in the sleeping bag with the climber.

I've just seen your new site for the... Everest trip, is it possible to email the climbers at Base camp? Would be very interested to do so.

Thanks,
Richard Moorhead
vastusmedialis@hotmail.com

P.S. Great web site!

ed.: the climbing team is wired for email, but to keep their account free for crucial communication, we ask that you send your comments and questions to us at info@mountainzone.com, and we'll forward messages to them when we know they have some free time.

We were wondering why there is snow on top of mountains if heat is supposed to rise? Also why is it so cold on top of Everest?...

Envious,
Dave MacKenzie
Pennsylvania
Pdmac@aol.com

I am following your exploits from Plymouth, MA and I'd like to wish you... safe travel. I am 44, a father of three and a fourth grade teacher. I am not into mountain climbing but I do like to hike the Appalachian Trail -- very tame by your standards... Good climbing and may you have sunny skies a minimal wind...

Take care,
Philip Holt
pholt@tiac.net

Dear Mountain Zone -

Thank you for providing the information on the assent up Mt. Everest. Its a thrill just to follow the men's progress. We flat-landers don't get this type of opportunity to participate in such an expedition. I'll follow the progress to the conclusion. Good luck to Mr. Burleson and his expedition.

Richard M. Roller
rroller@netexpress.net

I would just like to wish everyone a successful climb and hope that all return safely. I am from Miami Beach , Fla. and have been fascinated with the mountain since I was a child. You are doing what many people only dream of , and for that you all are to be thanked, for without adventurists life would be ordinary. One of my biggest goals is to someday be in your shoes, or boots! Best of luck, and may all goals be accomplished.

sincerely,
John Tronolone
sensei@bridge.net

...I'm an operating room nurse at a level-one trauma hospital and I've seen some horrible sites, but I have to grant the biggest balls of them all go to the high altitude climbers. Personally, I'm afraid of heights. Needless to say, I'm the Grand chicken when it comes to mountains and crevasses. Your presentation on the net is truly awesome and fresh. It makes me wish to go out and do something.

Thank You,
Michael
mflores@cyberhighway.net

Gentlemen,
I am awe struck by what you are attempting to accommplish and I wish you Good Skill, favorable weather and excellent health. As an old flight surgeon I can only say, "keep that brain oxygenized".

Ted Du Puy, MD
(Capt MC USN Retired)
tedupuy@exis.net

I'm in Rio de Janeiro. The temperature is about 35°C. The beach is wonderful, the girls are nice and good-looking.

But don't misunderstand me. I think your experience fantastic and I will follow and support your efforts. I really hope that you enjoy a great experience.

As a fan I expect share with you some of thrill you will feel, while I'm having a beer or two.

Good luck. We will be in touch.

Jose Carlos Meira Mattos
jcmattos@pontocom.com.br

Congratulations to all who summit and all who set out to. Incredible courage, commitment and passion led you there and will return you home. Keep going!!

Kerry Kollmar
Atlanta, GA, USA
martialh@ix.netcom.com

Best of luck for a safe and successful climb! Just this past weekend, I saw a show documenting last years tragedy and it broke my heart. Hopefully, everyone can learn from the mistakes made in the past and continue to trek to the top of Everest without further loss. Some would say that people should not be permitted to attempt such a feat however, you can not curb man's hunger for adventure. It is that very hunger that drives us to succeed in areas we never imagined were possible.

Stephanie Clifford
john@polo.net

Just a local guy climbing 9,000 ft peaks here in British Columbia, but I have always enjoyed reading of the elite climbers who do Everest, K-2, etc. I am enjoying this new way of keeping up on what is happening in the climbing world and am praying for a safe season.

God Bless
Mel Boerema