Posted on May 22, 2008 09:57:58 AM | Amiko Nevills | 4 Comments
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There I was, literally just 24 hours from standing atop
the world's tallest mountain, 6:30 am, May 21, 2008.
The radio call from Casey had just come in, indicating
that he, Ari, Danuru and Dawa had actually done it,
and with extra determination I gave my pack a hoist,
wincing in sharp pain in the process.
Just the day before I'd awoken with low back spasms
(something I've dealt with intermittently in the
past), but I had still managed to climb the very steep
Lhotse face between Camps II and III in a very
respectable four and a half hours, cinching my
climbing harness like a weight lifter's belt. The
night at Camp II had been hard, unable to find a
comfortable position for my low back for more than a
minute or two. I told myself to persevere, the summit
was tantalizingly close --- by morning all would be
well, else I'd just "ignore" the stabbing pain and
press on to the top.
My buddies Adam, Kami, Namgya, Bob and others at camp
were as helpful as friends could ever be under the
circumstances --- getting ready to move up to Camp IV
for our summit assault -- placing a fresh oxygen
cylinder in my backpack and installing the crampons on
my boots (there was no way I'd have been able to reach
them). With their encouragement I braced myself and led
off up the steep slope towards the Yellow Band on a
test run. Within 10 paces I did an about face and told
my friends "I'm done," averting my wet eyes from
probably some of theirs. I knew that if I continued up
with them I'd slow them dramatically, possibly
compromising their summit success, and conceivably
place them in a rescue situation (mine). After 59 days
on this expedition, and a lifetime of dreaming about
it, it was a painful but easy decision to turn away
from the summit...
There's no need to feel sorry for me, though, as I've
had the adventure of a lifetime here --- and besides,
I can handle a short period of self pity on my own!
Thanks so much for following along with my Everest
expedition. In the weeks ahead (after I've downclimbed
the mountain and flown back home), we'll post some
other great photos and videos here.
Namaste,
Scott
Everest Base Camp
May 22, 2008
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4 comments so far ( Post your own )
- 4
On May 22, 2008 02:16:29 PM
aggie06
wrote:
Howdy Scott:
I don't know you, but I respect your decision to not ascend so much, that I just had to write. It was not out of fear or weakness, but instead out of your true strength of will. May God bless you abundantly for your decision, your wisdom, and your selflessness, to have gotten that far, that close, and to STILL put the team's safety first.
Your journey was a success, regardless of the mountain, especially because your team succeeded safely. Forget the mountain--you conquered your own deep desires for the sake of your fellow man. Deprived of oxygen, you still found the presence of mind to make the wise, mature choice. No wonder you are trusted to be an astronaut, riding on billions of dollars of work and equipment for the advancement of all mankind. May we all learn from your high example.
Godspeed,
Nick
Temple, TX- 3 On May 22, 2008 11:33:42 AM grounded in huntsville wrote:
Scott, the journey's end does not always meet our goals or expectations, but there is much nobility and grace in the pursuit. Thank you for sharing this amazing journey with us.
- 2 On May 22, 2008 01:49:40 PM Marcus Thompson wrote:
I want to congratulate you. Even though you didn't quite achieve your ultimate goal, you still should be proud of what you have accomplished. I don't just mean the Everest expedition. You have done things in your life that very few people will ever get the chance to do, and it was through hard work and persistence. I have a great amount of respect for you.
- 1 On May 22, 2008 07:32:22 PM Ivar Johansen - The Norwegian Astronautical Society. wrote:
Hello Scott!!
I think You have been a brave as astronauts can be - and I`m sure that You might try for the summit some other time.
What You can look back in time related to Your astronaut carrer is really something to be very, very proud of. Your last mission with the solar blanket repair really speak for itself.
I will be at JSC in connection with the 125 mission, and if it would be possible to meet with You and get an interview would be awsome...
Have a nice trip home, and maybe I`ll get to talk to You at JSC later this fall?
Yours faithfully
Mr. Ivar Johansen
Writer, Lecturer and Educator
The Norwegian Astronautical Society.
NORWAY. - 3 On May 22, 2008 11:33:42 AM grounded in huntsville wrote:
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