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05.04.2003 Entire team on Island Peak summit! Safe return to Namche Bazaar
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Hardly recovered from the Amphu Lapcha pass crossing we set out for a 2 day climb to Island Peak. The way to high camp went relatively easy. The 700 altitude m afternoon walk felt like a rest day... In the night some snow and a lot of wind kept us from sleeping too much. At 3.30 AM we woke up and after a light breakfast we went on our way through the snowy rocks. At sunrise we reached the glacier were roped up and put the crampons on. Halfway the glacier a 3 m crevasse blocked the way. We crossed it without significant trouble using 2 ice axes and rope.
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At 6000 m just 200 m icewall seperated us from the summit. As we didn't fully trust the fixed ropes we used our own. This part proved therefore to be the toughest. Steep and spectacular climbing led to the summit. At 10.30 AM we finally shot the summit movie with the entire team! Falco, Greg, Jan Maerten, Joost, Rogier, Ang Pemba and Mingma reached the ultimate goal!!!
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After repelling down from summit to the glacier we continued to high camp and from there to Chuckkung. This last 3,5 hour walk proved to be the toughest part of the entire trek... Here came the ultimate pain!!! Greg was found sleeping on the trail and was escorted further by Joost and Jan Maerten, after leaving his backback by others.
Back in Chuckkung Joost vomitted like a slaughtered Yak and entertained the entire team. The promissed party had to be postponed and even 15 hours of sleep weren't enough to fully recover.
Now we're in Namche Bazaar city, the sherpa capital. We enjoy beers, yak steaks, music and slowly get used to the real world again.
On April 8th we will fly to Kathmandu and the expedition will be finished.
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