March 22 – Update!
Posted on March 23rd, 2010 by sarah_hassell
I heard from Mike late this aftenoon with an update on the day’s condition and progress. They are battling some serious cold – temperatures are in the low single digits with wind chill in the minuses. All their technology is frozen save for the sat phone. The skies were blue and clear today which is great for climbing but only (oddly enough) makes it colder. Besides the cold, the overwhelming concern right now is avalanches. Unpredictable and huge, these are a very real danger.
The plan is to move to a higher camp tomorrow at a pass. The day will involve about 1000 vertical feet over some crazy cravasses. But they are playing it safe and the avalanche danger may jeopardize this plan. As I know more, I will update.