What was it like? so many emotions I don't know where to start. When we
arrived at the South Col the wind was blowing. The wind needed to calm down
for us to climb. I was so excited, nervous, AND tired...all at the same
time. I don't remember exactly what time we arrived at the South Col. It
was probably around 2pm. We had a lot to get organized--oxygen bottles,
clothing, food, etc.
|
| The primary concern was to get hydrated and to rest.
We only had about 7 hours before we left!
It's hard to describe all the details.
|
| We left at 9pm. It seemed like an
almost endless night. We didn't rest much. I was so incredibly tired. My
legs were screaming at me to stop. I was gasping for oxygen--my body
couldn't get enough! A couple of times we stopped to fix new ropes because
the old ones were badly worn. I would slump over on my ice ax...trying to
rest...then I would recover enough to remember where I was.
|
| Looking up I
could see the stars--so incredibly beautiful. I would look around to see
the other Sherpas. We couldn't talk much since we all had oxygen masks on.
But I knew we were a team. All working together for the summit. I had
complete trust in all my companions.
|
| Meanwhile, Ang Gelu was up fixing new
ropes. Surely he is one of the strongest altitude climbers in the world.
This was to be his 8th Everest summit.
|
| The sunrise was spectacular. What a view! We finally stepped into the
warmth of the sun at the South Summit. It felt so glorious. And before us
we could see the Hillary Step and then the Summit. Maybe we really were
going to make it!!! I couldn't believe it.
|
| We were almost to the top of
the Hillary Step when my brain began to scream at me. I could feel blood
retracting from my fingers and toes. PANIC! I felt like someone was
holding my head under water--like someone was trying to drown me. NO
OXYGEN! My O2 bottle was empty. I should have changed it at the South
Summit, but I hadn't.
|
| Ang Gelu saw me fall to the ground. I was trying to
stay in control. The slope was quite steep there. Ang Gelu came rushing
back to me. I don't know how long it took (it seemed interminable), but he
hooked me up to a new bottle of oxygen. It's amazing. Withing moments I
could feel the blood coming back into my brain, then my fingers, then my
toes.
|
| So close to the summit--but soooooo far. I rested a couple of
minutes there--looking out at the beauty of the Himalayas. Then we
continued on to the summit.
|
| What a dream come true! It was like being on
another planet. 360 degrees of incredible beauty--the TOP OF THE WORLD. I
was thinking of all the time and energy, the moments of doubt, the
tenacity...and the thankfulness for all the people that helped me get to the
summit.
|
| . This wasn't 'Nancy gets to the summit'. I could feel the enormity
of the whole project! I knew I had tears coming down my face (hidden by my
goggles). So many people had helped me get here--sponsors, Sherpas,
family, friends, and Web site readers. StepOnline.com!!!
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| Did we accomplish
our mission? Our goal was to inspire students to follow their dreams.
Looking into Tibet I felt such joy and happiness for having realized my
dream of climbing to the top of the world.
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| I hope everyone realizes their
own Everest in their lives!
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|
|
Nancy's 2001 journal
