Along the way, this afternoon, we will pass by a ridge that has chortens, which are memorials to climbers who have lost their lives on Everest. The picture above is Scott Fischer's chorten. He was a western guide who lost his life during the now famous storm of May 10, 1996 in which eight Everest climbers lost their lives in a single night, and the lives of several more deeply affected. His body remains very high on the mountain. You can read about that season's saga in a book named "The Climb" by Anatoli Boukreev. It is a sobering thought that many strong and capable men have not returned home.
I already know, but during the puja ceremony a few days ago it really hit home that climbing Mt. Everest is not only a big undertaking for me, but also for the sherpas here, as none will step foot on the mountain until the blessing has occurred. It is a mountain that should be taken seriously, but that being said, I do feel as well prepared as I can be, and I am looking forward to starting the climb.
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