The day started early and we woke up in the tea house with ice on the windows (inside) frozen water bottles, toothpaste, and eyedrops, even the water bottles filled with boiling water and placed at the foot of our sleeping bags were cold! Needless to say we were up and dressed quickly because we were freezing. This was the day for the big climb. Those that wanted to try to climb higher altitudes prepared for a hard adventurous day… Of course the Moulton crew was game! After much conversation Mike and I decided to give permission for Bryce to climb with the most experienced climbers of our team. They had been trekking with him for days now and assured us he was strong and ready… We just weren’t certain we were. This was very scary since we were all reminded of symptoms of altitude sickness which can be lethal and the dangers of climbing at this level. So off we went. My anxiety was high as we started wondering once again what on earth we were thinking when we agreed to this adventure ( there seems to be a theme here for me). We quickly fell out into natural pacing groups as we began to climb. We ascended higher than the highest point, Mt. Whitney, in the continental U. S. and to the elevation of Everest base camp! Bryce ascended the furtherest with the help of the A Team.., thank you Pasang and Sameer! Thank you Angdawa, Dawa, and DZ- for a truly once in a lifetime experience and for keeping us safe. Margaret, Greg, Ro, & Jen you will always hold a special place in our hearts. I could see Bryce climbing above me on the peaks and at one point could only make him out by his dance of celebration as I tried to pick him out of the silhouettes. It is impossible to describe this feeling. It was beyond difficult, very emotional, and a day I will never, ever forget. There were panoramic views of the mountains, prayer flags left by those before us, memorials to Sherpas that died on the mountain, compassion, laughter, camaraderie, tears, and an immense amount of thankfulness and joy! I feel more blessed than I can explain…
We were dragging back to the tea house after our climb completely spent and happy. Marsala tea, Dahl baht and a very supportive ENG team awaited us. The celebration included cards (sometimes mistakes happen) determining who would wear the rag of shame, and chocolate squares with Pringles. Notice I did not say showers… : ) life is so so GOOD!