It’s been 2-1/2 years since Everest and I
miss the Himalayas. It's time to go back for an expedition to climb Ama
Dablam. The image of this beautiful peak has been imprinted on my mind
since March of 2017 when our climbing team stared at it for a few days during the trek
to Everest Base Camp. What a striking mountain it is, looming over the
trail like a guardian of the upper Khumbu Valley. Sometimes called the
Matterhorn of the Himalayas because of a similar steep shape and multiple
ridge lines, Ama Dablam is a far greater challenge than the Swiss peak.
Besides the planning, the first step in
any expedition is making gear lists, sorting gear and refining your “kit” until
the balance between comfort, weight and preparation is made. Here’s what mine looks like for this trip:
The Ama Dablam expedition is much shorter
than Everest, only lasting for about a month. It also tops out at a
summit of 22,494 ft versus 29,029 ft so the amount of gear can be pared down to
save weight and bulk. It’s worth leaving a few items behind to go lighter
and faster. After careful deliberation of each piece of gear, clothing and food my kit only weighs 100 pounds!
Tomorrow begins my journey to Nepal, and a new mountaineering adventure. As before, I don't know what will happen during this expedition or how successful our team will be, but I do know that I will come back home different than when I left.
Thanks for joining me on this next chapter of my life!
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