Turned back at 6128m (20105 ft) ASL..

29th May 2006.

In 1953, on this very day, one of the most famous mountaineering feats was achieved: Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay summitted the tallest peak, Mt. Qomolangma (Everest) for the first time ever.

On this day in 2006, we achieved our best in trekking till date. The trio of Shantanu Gogate, Anup Mathkar and Aniket Anikhindi (myself), who were on a mission to Mt. Qomolangma Advanced Base Camp, reached a height of 6128 metres (20105 feet) ASL, as per a GPS receiving device. Our Sherpa claimed the altitude to be 6200 metres ASL, but then we have been noting the altitude statistics from the GPS receiver and preferred to stay with that reading for consistency sake.















LtoR: Shantanu Gogate, Anup Mathkar, Aniket Anikhindi
Waving the Hindu 'Bhagwa' flag and the Indian tricolour
6128m ASL on Mt. Qomolangma (Everest) on 29 May 2006

The target we had set out for, was Advanced Base Camp (Camp 3) on the North Face, lies at around 6340m. While we were going strong on what was our 'summit' day, it was time which forced us to turn back from our strong march. An estimated 90 minutes and 200 vertical metres short of our target, it was a wise thing to turn back, because we had already traversed a huge distance, had gained over 500 metres of altitude, and required enough strength to return to the safety of our campsite.

We feel sad to have fallen short of our target for a logistical failure than anything else. While we were supposed to have camped the earlier night at Camp II (5970m), our yak herders refused to camp higher than Intermediate Camp (5710m). For reasons that are still left open for speculation. Camping at Camp II (5970m) was easily possible that day, walking from Camp II to Advanced Base Camp (ABC) and returning to Camp II (5970m) was the feasible approach, than trying a dare devil stunt that we gave up on (an attempt from 5710m to 6340m and back, which would have been close to 20 kms or more). It taught us a lot I'd say, these are the type of things that you come across on Everest or other mountaineering expeditions, and if you are on an all important mission, you should be ready to combat these or have alternatives ready. If only we'd have known earlier.. There is lot to follow about what we faced on the trek in later posts. It's best not to claim this post's space for that.

Luckily for us, no one suffered from any type of altitude sickness or any other type of physical problems, which would have put us in a dangerous situation. Our acclimatisation on our way to the destination had been so wonderful, that we could have really gone on to make a summit bid (okay I guess that categorises as a hyperbole).

It feels excellent to have crossed the 6000m mark, and the 20000 ft barrier as well. Certainly would make an impressive reading on our climbing resumes :) More than that, it gives a lot of confidence of survival at higher altitudes and cold weather conditions. At the same time, I must specify here that we had got an excellent weather window all through the trek, it possibly couldn't have been better. That helps a great deal.

All in all, it was a supreme effort, one worth remembering for an entire lifetime: Being a trekker I know for sure that any later expedition does not really take away anything from previous ones. There are many pictures, video clips and experiences to share, which will follow in subsequent posts on the blog (which will be maintained in a chronological order but for this post - so this will be a 'flashback' blog).

Many of my friends have been asking me this question: "So after all, do you think this trek was really worth the money that you spent?" [Despite lack of sponsorship, I ended up spending around 175,000 INR on this 3 week trek]. And I can vouch on behalf of all 3 of us that this was a priceless deal, not worth being compared to a monetary sum per se. After all, you cannot compare trekking up to Mt. Everest, and then walking on the East Rongbuk Glacier for 4 days and sleeping on the flanks of Mt. Everest for 3 nights, can you? I bet many trekkers would accept the package deal: 4 days and 3 nights on Mt. Everest (North Face): INR 175,000 (free offer of 4 days of trekking to Base Camp, coupled with 3 nights stay at Base Camp). Wow, I ought to set up shop :)

So, till I post more, take care and enjoy! The photos and video clips are going through rounds of scans to pick out the best ones for the blog, and we'll be cutting DVD's for those interested in the entire lot. So long, Qomolangma! I'd like to quote Arnold Schwarzenegger from Terminator: "I'll be back.." :)

Being here at home, 554m ASL, I feel there is too much oxygen around. I might just end up suffering from the problems of excess oxygen (having adjusted so well to less oxygen up there), and might need to use a suffocator mask. The number of red blood corpuscles would still be high from the acclimatisation process, and people are saying I've lost weight, I need to check how much. But myself and the other 2 are recovering (from overall fatigue), we're pampering ourselves these days, till we sort of get back to where we were..

(Below) Aniket smiling away at Kathmandu
















From my home in Pune (India),
Aniket "Nike" Anikhindi