VICKSpedition SKI8000

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  home > the climb > update 05.03.04
  After a great farewell at Schiphol Airport fly to Kathmandu via London, Dubai (extra landing due to bad weather in Abu Dabi) and Abu Dabi. It's great to meet our friend Ngima Dorji Sherpa on KTM airport. As always, Ngima and the other Sherpa teammembers give us a warm welcome. We feel at home again! The VICKSpedition SKI8000 is on it's way!

The next day, Wednesday, we go to the cargo building, to get the cargo through customs. First we have to wait 2 hours for the responsible persons to arrive, and then the usual discussions start about possible delays and how thorough the customs will search the barrels. Our (proven) tactic is to deny that we will go on an expedition, we are here in Kathmandu just to relax a little... The officers believe it (at least they act like it)... even after opening the ski bag.

After 2 more hours of bargaining we can load the 500 KG (15 barrels, 15 bags) in our van. The first hurdle is crossed!

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  Wednesday night we meet Miss Elizabeth Hawley, the famous journalist who records all 8000+ m climbs. She meets and interviews each and every 8000 + expedition climber before and after the climb.

Thursday we plan to go to Ngima's office to organize all the gear. But there is a "Bandh" (General Strike) so we cannot get transportation. The roads are abandoned, an enormous contrast to the normally chaotic streets. Instead we test the solar panels and the satellite internet connection. Everything works great!

Today, Friday we organize the gear. We take part of the climbing equipment and food to our acclimatization trip to Langtang area. The bulk of food and equipment will wait for us in Kathmandu.

The plans for the next weeks are as follows:
6 March: Departure by bus tro Langtang
7 - 18 March: Acclimatization trek in Langtang (altitude 2000 - 5500 m)
19 March: Return to Kathmandu
22 March: Departure to Cho Oyu basecamp
26 March: Arrival in Cho Oyu basecamp
27 March - 1 May (approximately): Climbing/ skiing on Cho Oyu! We hope to reach the summit end of April.

We are looking forward! We'll keep you posted by satellite!