John Kazanas Reaches Everest
Posted by evdomada on May 26, 2010
Thanks to our evdomada.net friend Kathy, we have found out that John Kazanas has reached the summit of Mount Everest!
I am sure John’s family & friends, as well as all the family & friends of the rest of the group, are proud and relieved to hear that their loved ones achieved this incredible feat.
I hope that we get to read more news soon!
Here’s the update fromthe website summitclimb.com
25 May, 2010
Team 2 summits!
Hi, it’s the 25th of May and this is a dispatch for the Everest Tibet SummitClimb expedition.
We got a call at 1:18 p.m. David was on the summit with 5 members and 4 sherpas. It was extremely windy and sunny. The other members who have been here all went down today, so everybody seems like they are doing okay so far. We will keep you posted. Thank you very much. Bye, bye.
Names of summiteers:
- David O’Brien – UK
- John Kazanas – Australia
- Ms. Elizabeth Tertil – Canada
- Thorbjørn Lundsgaard – Norway
- Peter Kinloch – UK
- Lhakpa Sherpa Lama
- Phurba Sherpa
- Jangbu Sherpa (Senior)
- Gyalje Sherpa
- Jangbu Sherpa (Naked)
Kathy said
What a relief!
What a courageous effort!
We just pray for his safe descent which
is as difficult!
congratulations to all climbers!
Cheers
Kathy
Sophia said
Wow what an experience. Congratulations John and fellow climbers.
That is just amazing climbing so high, negotiating such a huge mountain and being so close to the clouds. Thanks for the website link as the photos look awesome.
All the best with the climb down.
Sophia
Kathy said
John is safe and well at base camp with
some others members of his team.
The rest of the team is on Advance Base Camp.
They will go down soon
Cheers
Kathy
Kathy said
I post John’s recent e-mail for your update with some enlightening inforamtion.
“Hi everyone,
After summiting Everest at 12 pm last Tuesday May 25th, now safely back at base camp.
Our Everest summit day lived up to the drama, excitement, fear and nightmarish moments that you read about in Everest books.
Soon after leaving camp 3 (8300m) at 11.30pm and 30 mins later than planned, we came across a dying Japanese climber just 100 meters from camp. Despite the attempts by 2 nurses and one doctor in our team, there was nothing they could do and he died a few hours later. As he had pulled the fixed lines, we were then faced with a 15m vertical pitch of steep snow and rock. Due to the conditions masks and goggles iced extremely badly and this made progress difficult. We then battled burried ropes under up to half a meter if snow and ice in various sections which caused major delays as they had to either be dug out or by passed with additional ropes. Passing dead climbers from up to 20 years ago reminded us of the unforgiving environment we were in. Sunrise bought more burried ropes and delays and we considered turning back. In my case eventually on the summit by 12 pm, i was wearing only wrap around sunglasses as my goggles were completely frozen, and I was faced with howling winds and snow drift meaning extreme danger of snow blindness and frost bite in my face, so descended after less then 10 mins on the summit.
Back at c3 by just after 4 pm with very mild snow blindness and dehydration, i heard the unfortunate news that one of our team members was in trouble with blindness at the 2nd step (8700m). Over the next 12 hours, and despite the efforts of a rescue party which included my personal Sherpa who risked his own life, and despite the efforts of 2 others as well, our team member never was never able to make it back to camp 3 (8300m) and mt Everest claimed another person on her slopes for eternity.
The following day I spent 9 hours descending to abc (6400m) and with a few other members as we all suffered from exhaustion we stubbled like drunks into camp.
Over the next few months i will self publish a low cost book to document the trip and motivate others to reach their own Everest and also do some public talks/motivational speaking to ensure that the pain and suffering of the last few months and training of 18months can be used to inspire others to achieve their own goals – will keep you posted with more details or feel free to email.
Thanks to everyone who kept emailing with positive thoughts over the last 2 months and encouragement. Your emails were far more motivating than I can explain here and they kept me going during those -20 degree nights.
Trying to get home to Melbourne slightly earlier and looking forward to catching up with all in Melbourne.
Hope you are well and to you talk soon.
John.”
Cheers
Kathy
evdomada said
Hi Kathy
Thank you ever so much for taking the time to send us these updates and keeping us all informed.
Personally I am ever so grateful for your contributions to this web blog that tries to keep all of us Greek-Australians informed on these kind of people, their achievements & events that make us all proud.
Fotis